Francis Ngannou says resuming fight career ‘best way of honouring’ his son

Ngannou was stripped as UFC heavyweight champion in January 2023 after failing to agree a new contract and then signed up for the PFL.

HONOURING SON: Francis Ngannou has not fought in MMA since January 2022. Picture: Zac Goodwin/PA

Francis Ngannou contemplated retirement following his son’s death but the former UFC heavyweight champion believes continuing to fight is the “best way of honouring him”.

After a two-fight foray into boxing, Ngannou is set to return to mixed martial arts on October 19 when he makes his Professional Fighters League bow against Brazil’s Renan Ferreira in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.