Francis Ngannou has been away from the cage for over a year.
The former UFC heavyweight champion has competed just once since exiting MMA’s biggest stage in pursuit of better contractual terms and the freedom to box.
After Ngannou faced Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in two high-profile ventures to the ring, he finally debuted in the PFL last year.
But fans have not seen ‘The Predator’ in the cage since October 2024, when Ngannou decimated Renan Ferreira in quick time to remind everyone of his blistering power.
With a struggle to find suitable opponents in the PFL, the Cameroonian star appeared to have his sights set on a return to the ring next. But recent contractual revelations have put an MMA bout on the table for the first half of 2026, and there are “special” plans for it…
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PFL CEO teases ‘special’ plans for Francis Ngannou in 2026
Talk of Ngannou returning to the UFC has grown in 2025 after his honest comments about the lack of opposition available to him in the PFL.
And ‘The Predator’ recently revealed that his contract with the promotion will end after one fight in 2026, potentially leaving the door ajar to fresh opportunities or a long-discussed return to familiar surroundings.
Ngannou remains under the PFL banner for the time being, and if his next fight is to be his last, they seemingly plan on ensuring that the heavyweight king goes out with a bang.
“I’ve spoken to Francis a number of times,” PFL CEO John Martin recently told MMA Fighting. “He knows we’re working on something very special for him.
“I’d like to see what happens in the fight this week and see if (Vadim) Nemkov wins, if that makes sense. But Francis knows that we’re looking forward to him fighting in 2026, relatively soon hopefully and we’re trying to put something together that’s very special for him.
“He’s got one more fight under his contract and we’ll see what happens after that… I know he’s explored some (options) on the boxing front, too,” he continued. “We’ve been in reasonably frequent communication with him and his manager and his lawyer. I look forward to seeing Francis in the cage again.”
Ngannou has previously name-dropped ex-Bellator champ Vadim Nemkov as an option, and the Russian is set to battle Ferreira to determine the PFL’s inaugural heavyweight champ on Saturday in Lyon, France.
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Dana White isn’t interested despite Francis Ngannou’s contract status
While Ngannou could end up being an MMA free agent in the new year, his ex-employer is not interested in a reunion.
Dana White reacted to Ngannou’s contract status, once again dismissing any possibility of bridges being mended in order to facilitate the Cameroonian’s return to the UFC.
“I don’t know how I can make it anymore f—- clear,” White told The Mac Life while laughing after being asked if he is interested in bringing Ngannou back.
“There was nothing that made me happier than throwing that guy over to the f—- PFL.
“Let me tell you what, if we let guys go, feel bad for the f—- company that gets them,” he continued. “We let them go for a f—- reason. I don’t have to let anybody go.
“I don’t want to be in business with guys I don’t like and don’t think are good guys.”
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