Francis Ngannou vs. Deontay Wilder in MMA set to happen?

Francis Ngannou isn’t ready to stop shocking the combat sports world following his huge display against Tyson Fury last time out.

The former UFC heavyweight champion recently decided to depart the company and join their rivals. This choice was scrutinized by many as his competition in the PFL will likely be at a much lower level than his previous employer, but that may no longer be the case.

While making an appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Francis Ngannou made a surprising revelation. First, he insisted that a return to boxing is expected and may take place before his MMA return.

“I’m in the same position as I was. People are the ones that changed because they didn’t know I could box. Their mind is changing because now they believe I can box… I’m still in the same mindset and I stay intent [on fighting] in MMA. Obviously, I really want to have a lot of fights in boxing. I can give a lot of boxing guys a bad night.”

Related: Fighters react to razor-close decision in Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou fight

Alongside his return to combat, talks have begun for a potential fight under the PFL banner with fellow knockout artist Deontay Wilder, according to Ngannou.

“I think that’s a good idea. In fact, we have spoken about that. In fact, that has been in the discussion.” Ngannou said when questioned about a possible Deontay Wilder MMA fight. “So that’s something that can potentially happen. Deontay Wilder for a couple of months, I mean for a while now, has been training MMA. Yeah, because there’s an option. Something’s been coming out of my ear to my attention, so that’s something that makes sense.”

“He’s really serious about MMA. I know a lot of people talk [that they’re] gonna do this in boxing, gonna do this in MMA but I think Deontay Wilder is very interested in MMA and even like just to step in the octagon for MMA… It’s gonna be a different beast for him. Unlike this time when I was the one experiencing climbing the mountain, he’s gonna be the one climbing the mountain.”

While nothing is set in stone for him, Francis Ngannou did recently announce that he expects to make his PFL debut next year. A timeline for February or March seems most likely, insists the man himself.

Check out his appearance on The MMA Hour in the video below.