Ngannou’s heavyweight battle towards Brazil’s Renan Ferreira in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday is his first MMA bout since defending his UFC title towards Ciryl Gane in 2021.
Regardless of boxing twice since, Ngannou is adamant he by no means departed MMA, even interrupting the interview halfway to make clear his level.
“I am not returning to MMA – I by no means left,” stated Ngannou.
In the course of the interval when Ngannou’s solely aggressive motion got here within the boxing ring, the MMA heavyweight division panorama has altered dramatically, with American Jon Jones profitable the UFC title and Britain’s Tom Aspinall changing into the promotion’s interim champion.
Ferreira received the PFL’s world annual heavyweight match in 2023, however doubts stay over his legitimacy as a challenger to Ngannou, compared to names like Jones and Aspinall.
Ferreira has received 13 and misplaced three skilled fights, securing 11 knockouts, whereas Ngannou has received 20 and misplaced three of his bouts, together with 12 knockouts.
“I feel Renan’s a fantastic fighter. I even have a sense, I do not know him personally, however I’ve a sense he is a fantastic particular person,” stated Ngannou.
“Proper now that is the largest problem. I’ll have a six-foot-eight man throughout from me, so proper now he’s the largest problem.”
In August, Ngannou said he considered retiring this year following the loss of life of his son in April, however he has chosen to battle on as a manner of honouring him.
The cardboard in Riyadh, titled PFL Tremendous Fights, is probably the most bold the promotion has ever hosted, with particular commemorative titles being made for Ngannou’s bout and the co-main between Brazilian featherweights Cris Cyborg and Larissa Pacheco.
Such is Ngannou’s star energy, the occasion has been constructed round him, with the Bellator middleweight title battle between American Johnny Eblen and Britain’s Fabian Edwards – a battle which was initially slated to headline in London in September – being relegated to 3rd on the cardboard.
Ngannou has many choices going ahead due to the cash his identify generates, and has hinted he plans to concurrently compete in MMA and boxing.
“I wish to obtain no matter is feasible. I’ve no limits. Limits, you may find yourself breaking them, however does not imply you need to cease,” stated Ngannou.
“At this time limit, I simply wish to see how far I can go and what else I can do earlier than the solar units. I am simply discovering myself.”
