PFL chairman Donn Davis has provided updates on what to expect from Francis Ngannou this year, and a potential ‘hybrid rules’ showdown with Deontay Wilder could be on the cards.
After leaving the UFC back in 2023, Ngannou decided to test his luck in the world of boxing. ‘The Predator’ first went head-to-head with Tyson Fury. Despite dropping the Brit, the former UFC heavyweight champion would go on to lose via split decision. The 38-year-old returned to the squared-circle last year against Anthony Joshua but was brutally knocked out by ‘AJ’ in the second round of their dust-up in Saudi Arabia.
Later that year, Ngannou returned to the Octagon to take on Renan Ferreira and needed just a few minutes to topple the Brazilian giant. The Cameroonian is targeting another fight in boxing this year, but could face Wilder under mixed-rules. ‘The Bronze Bomber’ is widely regarded as one of the hardest-hitting punchers in the history of the sport, but his best days are behind him following back-to-back defeats against Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang.
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That said, Davis has revealed a fight between the two heavyweight stars could take place with a mixed ruleset – combining both MMA and boxing in what could be a jaw-dropping crossover. He told Sky Sports: “He’s going to fight twice this year – once in MMA, once in boxing. What order?
“I’m not sure. What opponents? We’re working on options. I think Deontay Wilder is one that we’ve talked about, that he has talked about. Some sort of mixed rules or alternating rounds or just taking one aspect away from MMA rules. I think Deontay Wilder is particularly interesting but you have to get the fans to understand it and it be a legitimate sport.
“We view it as upside but there is risk. There is no free lunch in the world whatever you do. Could he get hurt? Could he diminish his reputation? Could it delay certain schedules? Could it hurt other opponents? Of course, there is no free lunch. He’s now the most beloved fighter because of the challenges and the risks he’s taken so we view the upside as greater than the downside.”
Davis was also quick to sing Ngannou’s praises following a successful return to the cage against Ferreira. “I’m not even sure Francis knew he was still the baddest man on the planet,” he said. “If we could all see into his soul, I’m not so sure walking into that cage that he knew. He showed he was.
“To do it after defying UFC, after blowing up the boxing world [with his split decision loss to Fury] and going through a personal tragedy [the death of his young son]. Then to show [that] in under one round against [Ferreira], who’s 6’8″ and a black belt… wow, he’s the baddest man on the planet, no question.”
While Ngannou’s next fight is yet to be determined, Wilder is reportedly planning a major return to boxing. Boxing journalist Manouk Akopyan recently revealed that he’s looking at April for his next fight against an opponent who will be named in the near future.
