Francis Ngannou names preferred promotions for return to MMA

Francis Ngannou answers Fan questions about Jon Jones, Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder, MMA & more!

Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou recently engaged in a Q&A session on his YouTube channel to discuss his preferred promotions in his potential return to MMA.

The fighter, who bears the moniker “The Predator,” said that if he were to select an MMA organization for his comeback, he would narrow down his choices to the PFL, Bellator and ONE Championship.

“If I have to pick another MMA organization to go to, I think it’s between this three organizations: PFL, Bellator and ONE Championship.”

Francis Ngannou, former UFC heavyweight champion

Ngannou explained that what the promotion offers, its structure and its vision for the sport and the fighters would be his main considerations. In addition, he mentioned that the organization’s plans for Africa would also play a significant role in his decision-making process.

Ngannou, who has given up his UFC heavyweight title, is now a free agent, meaning he can sign with any other promotion worldwide.

UFC president Dana White had previously made it clear that the UFC has no plans to resume negotiations with Ngannou following unsuccessful attempts to reach a new contract agreement.

In a recent interview with TMZ Sports, White further affirmed that it would be unlikely for the promotion and Ngannou to reunite.

When discussing if there would be a possible showdown with current heavyweight champion Jon “Bones” Jones, Ngannou said he was unsure if he would ever have the opportunity to fight against him.

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“I don’t know. It’s very tough. I don’t believe that that could happen. Maybe a cross-promotion or whatever it is. I don’t know what the future holds. It’s hard,” the 36-year-old said.

While discussing his transition to boxing, Ngannou confirmed that he has been in talks about a potential fight with Anthony “AJ” Joshua. However, Ngannou had been conversing more extensively with American boxer Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder.

Ngannou confirmed that he and Wilder have considered fighting in Africa next year. The Cameroonian-French fighter explained that August of 2024 would mark the 50th anniversary of The Rumble in The Jungle, a historic matchup where Muhammad Ali defeated George “Big George” Foreman in Zaire in 1974.

With Ali’s victory over Foreman being widely considered one of the most iconic fights in boxing history, Ngannou views this occasion as a unique chance to achieve something “massive” and “great” in Africa.