Francis Ngannou, the former UFC champion and MMA star, has recently garnered attention due to his venture into the realm of boxing. However, it appears that his heart remains deeply entrenched in his native Cameroon, where he possesses a clandestine connection to football. Despite his brief foray into boxing, Ngannou has no intentions of switching sports again and is poised to return to MMA.
In the previous year, Ngannou made headlines when he departed from the UFC to pursue a boxing career. He entered into a contract with the Professional Fighters League (PFL), affording him the opportunity to explore the boxing realm. He engaged in matches against heavyweight boxers Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, with varying degrees of success. Apparently, his boxing escapade has steered him back towards the sphere of MMA.
During a recent trip to Cameroon, Ngannou took advantage of the occasion to indulge in one of his other passions – football. He participated in matches for a local team known as Sable F.C de Batie, demonstrating his affection and dedication to the sport. It was also disclosed that Ngannou holds a stake in a football club in Cameroon, underscoring his profound connection to the sport.
Peter Murray, the CEO of the PFL, divulged Ngannou’s involvement in football, asserting that he is a fervent champion of the franchise. Despite his fondness for football, there is no apprehension over Ngannou departing from MMA for a second time, as he remains steadfastly focused on his impending bout in the octagon.
Ngannou’s return to MMA will feature a match against Brazilian fighter Renan Ferreira, marking his debut fight for the PFL. The highly anticipated event is scheduled to transpire in September in Saudi Arabia, where Ngannou was present to witness Ferreira’s impressive knockout victory over former UFC heavyweight Ryan Bader in a mere 20 seconds.
With his forthcoming return to the MMA arena, Ngannou’s supporters are eagerly awaiting his resurgence. His extraordinary journey from Cameroon to the pinnacle of MMA and beyond continues to inspire and enthrall audiences globally. As Ngannou prepares to reenter the cage, his ardour for sports and dedication to his roots in Cameroon act as a testimony to his unyielding spirit and devotion to his craft.