Eric Nicksick, the head coach of Francis Ngannou, always had faith that the former UFC heavyweight champion would come back to MMA, despite tempting offers in boxing. Recently, PFL announced Ngannou’s debut fight in a five-round main event against Renan Ferreira on October 19th at a superfight pay-per-view event.
After competing against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in boxing matches and coping with the tragic loss of his son Kobe, Ngannou felt it was the right time to return to the sport where he gained fame as MMA’s lineal heavyweight champion. Nicksick expressed his enthusiasm for Ngannou’s comeback, underscoring the significance of getting him back in the gym and refocused on fighting.
Ngannou’s choice to depart from the UFC and join PFL in 2023 marked his return to MMA, following losses to Fury by split decision and Joshua by knockout. Despite the allure of lucrative boxing opportunities, Ngannou was committed to honoring his agreement with PFL and demonstrating his skills as a fighter within the organization.
Nicksick always believed that Ngannou’s MMA journey wasn’t over, drawing from their discussions and Ngannou’s competitive spirit. Ngannou’s passion for MMA and his aspiration to contribute to the growth of the PFL spurred his comeback to the octagon. Nicksick highlighted Ngannou’s untapped potential in MMA, indicating that he had only just begun to showcase his athletic prowess before departing from the UFC.
Renan Ferreira, Ngannou’s opponent, heads into the fight on a four-fight finishing streak, displaying his confidence and skillset. Nicksick recognized Ferreira’s capabilities but remained focused on aiding Ngannou in nullifying his opponent’s strengths and securing a victory. As Ngannou continues to dominate in MMA, Nicksick acknowledged that future opportunities could present themselves, such as potential boxing matches or unforeseen challenges from other promoters.
With Ngannou’s status as a free agent, he has the freedom to explore various combat sports options, whether it’s boxing, MMA, or perhaps facing off against Jon Jones in a different promotion. Nicksick stressed that all doors are open for Ngannou, but their primary concentration is currently on the upcoming bout on October 19th.
