Francis Ngannou: Ryan Bader vs. Renan Ferreira PFL winner likely will be MMA return opponent

Things have to play out March 8 before he makes any definitive commitments, but former UFC champion Francis Ngannou sees the PFL vs. Bellator: Champions main event as a sweepstakes for his MMA return opponent.

Bellator champion Ryan Bader fights Renan Ferreira on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The victor might find themselves in the crosshairs of Ngannou, who sees a future matchup as an unofficial MMA heavyweight title unification bout.

“(That’s) my potential opponent, because I think the winner of this is going to be the guy I fight in my MMA return when I return,” Ngannou said Thursday on ESPN’s “SportsCenter.” “… First of all, both are champions. They’re going to be champ-champ. So I think there wasn’t a better way to find an opponent for me, since I’m a champion myself, just in case you have forgotten.”

His step back into the MMA cage is distant, however, compared to his boxing return to the ring. March 8, Ngannou fights Anthony Joshua. A win could propel him into a massive immediate title fight in boxing.

“It’s my intention to return to (MMA). When exactly, I think all depends on March 8. Everything depends on March 8,” Ngannou said. “… I haven’t finished my MMA career. I just wanted to chase my dream in boxing. Obviously, I can enjoy both and combine whenever the opportunity is there. I’m not done with MMA. I have an intention to come back and fight and put on some shows.

“… That doesn’t change anything. I think on March 8, whatever happens, the fight is happening. … I take out Anthony Joshua on March 8. Then, I have an opportunity for the undisputed right away to fight. I think it’s a great opportunity not to miss out (on).”

Ngannou, 37, made his boxing debut in October against Tyson Fury, whom he dropped and nearly defeated in a close split decision loss. The fight was his first combat sports competition since he departed the UFC as the promotion’s heavyweight champion in early 2023. Ngannou hasn’t competed in MMA since January 2022.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL vs. Bellator: Champions.