Fury And Joshua ‘Don’t Want That Smoke’ In MMA

Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

Francis Ngannou is officially back in the mixed martial arts (MMA) world.

After parting ways with Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Ngannou joined Professional Fighters League (PFL) and started his professional boxing career in 2023. The results didn’t go Ngannou’s way in his two bids against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, but the financial and admiration gained was invaluable.

Ngannou, 37, returns to MMA when he makes his promotional debut against Renan Ferreira at PFL Super Fights PPV on Oct. 19, 2024. What comes after that remains undetermined, but the former UFC Heavyweight champion doesn’t expect his boxing counterparts to follow in his crossover footsteps.

“They don’t want that smoke,” Ngannou said in a PFL DC media scrum (h/t John Morgan). “Nobody wants that, and I wouldn’t want it either. I don’t blame them. There is a lot of elements in MMA that’s way complicated for boxers to crossover than for MMA fighters to crossover to boxing.

“I need to see them do some practice,” he continued. “Maybe one of them have the wrestling skill. You don’t of the grappling skill. We need to see.”

UFC 270 marked the last time Ngannou stepped foot in an MMA enclosure. “The Predator” successfully defended his title via unanimous decision when challenged by Ciryl Gane in January 2022 (watch highlights). Ngannou has won six straight in MMA, dating back to his forgettable Derrick Lewis clash at UFC 226 in July 2018

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