PFL News: Francis Ngannou's Next MMA Fight Finally Announced
Francis Ngannou will face the winner of Ryan Bader vs. Renan Ferreira this weekend at PFL vs. Bellator.
News of Ngannou's next foray into MMA has been scarce since the lineal champion signed with the PFL. "The Predator" has instead made an impact on the boxing world with his fight against Tyson Fury and a scheduled bout against Anthony Joshua in March.
Now, Ngannou is set to face the winner of Bader vs. Ferreira at PFL vs. Bellator on February 24. The PFL announced the matchup in a video on February 22:
Given Ngannou's current superstardom, it's easy to see the fight as a step down since facing top-of-the-world fighters in Fury and Joshua.
However, Bader and Ferreira are the champions of Bellator and PFL respectively, and will be fighting for the unified 'super fight' title, so it doesn't get much bigger than this outside of the UFC.
It was announced when Ngannou joined the PFL that he would be fighting as part of the 'super fight' division, along with the likes of Jake Paul. This means that a victory for Ngannou would legitimize the division and top talent from around the world would flock for a guaranteed seven-figure purse.
"I think the winner of this is the guy I'm going to fight in my MMA return," Ngannou told ESPN. "...When exactly, I think depends on March 8. [Ferreira and Bader] are both champions and one of them is going to be a 'Champ Champ.' So, I think there isn't a better way to find an opponent, since I am a champion myself."
The next stage in Ngannou's MMA career is set in motion, and it's an exciting one.
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