MMA
'Whatever happened, forget about it' - Francis Ngannou unworried by MMA criticism after boxing stint
Watch Ngannou's return to the cage on DAZN PPV
Francis Ngannou is not worried the MMA community may have forgotten him, ahead of his return versus Renan Ferreira at PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants live on DAZN.
The French-Cameroonian fighter is due to contest his promotion debut and first clash in the cage since 2022 against the fearsome Brazilian at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh.
It comes after professional bouts in the boxing ring with Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, in the wake of Ngannou's decision to cut ties with UFC in January 2023.
| Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira | Heavyweight world title |
| Cris Cyborg vs. Larissa Pacheco | Women's featherweight world title |
| Johnny Eblen vs. Fabian Edwards | Bellator middleweight world title |
| Husein Kadimagomaev vs. Zafar Mohsen | Featherweight |
| AJ McKee vs. Paul Hughes | Lightweight |
| Raufeon Stots vs. Marcos Breno | Bantamweight |
| Makkasharip Zaynukov vs. Dedrek Sanders | Lightweight |
| Ibragim Ibragimov vs. Nacho Campos | Featherweight |
| Mostafa Rashed Nada vs. Ahmed Sami | Middleweight |
| Tariq Ismail vs. Taha Bendaoud | Featherweight |
Ahead of Saturday's clash, the 38-year-old has played down suggestions that he is concerned over what others may think about his absence, and vowed to stay true to himself.
"Whatever happened, forget about it," he told DAZN. "It’s what you remember, what did you do. I think it is just about me doing the most that I can do to not forget about it later on."
Elsewhere, Ngannou also weighed in on whether he could return to the boxing ring once again after pursuing his first love, and admitted a couple of bouts could interest him.
"I don’t know," he added. "Maybe a rematch with Fury. Whoever. Deontay Wilder too, I think he is a good name. It would be a good fight."
Fury and Wilder famously fought in a trilogy series following the Briton's return to the ring after a prolonged absence for mental health reasons.
The two famously drew in their first encounter, a decision many felt unduly favoured Wilder, before Fury won the rematch and then a definitive third encounter.
Watch Ngannou vs. Ferreira on DAZN
Watch Francis Ngannou's return to the cage as he faces Renan Ferreira in the PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants this Saturday on DAZN Pay-Per-View.
The card also features Cris Cyborg against Larissa Pacheco for the women's featherweight world title.
The PPV is priced at £19.99 for UK viewers to watch on any device, including Smart TV's, game consoles, phones, tablets and PC's.
To purchase and find the prices in your region click here.
Purchasing the PPV includes a seven-day free trial of all of DAZN's programming across a range of sports.
More PFL
- Ngannou ready for PFL debut after years away from MMA
- Bellator middleweight world title rematch added to 'Battle of the Giants'
- PFL alternative viewing experience for Battle of the Giants with DAZN
- Jake Paul talks Jon Jones fighting the winner of Ngannou vs. Ferreira
- PFL announces launch of PFL Africa
