Ngannou Returns to MMA for Late Son

Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has revealed that he contemplated retirement following the tragic death of his son. However, he ultimately decided that continuing to fight would be the best way to honor his son's memory. Ngannou expressed that his son, who was just 15 months old, inspired him to find a new purpose in life, stating, “I didn’t want my son to be the reason for me to do that, so I decided that I will keep fighting for him.” Ngannou, who was stripped of his UFC heavyweight title in January 2023 due to contract disputes, has since signed with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) and has ventured into boxing. Despite facing setbacks, including a points loss to Tyson Fury and a knockout by Anthony Joshua, the 37-year-old remains optimistic about his future in the sport. “I think I still have a few left in me,” he said, indicating that he is open to future boxing opportunities after his upcoming fight. In his next bout, Ngannou will face PFL heavyweight tournament champion Ferreira, who boasts a record of 13 wins and only three losses. Ferreira, who recently knocked out Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader, warned Ngannou of the challenges ahead, emphasizing his own knockout power and wrestling skills. “Francis has been going through a tough year in his life, but the toughest challenge in his life and in his year is going to be me,” Ferreira stated.