Ngannou confirms next opponent two weeks before Joshua fight

Anthony Joshua (left) and Francis Ngannou will meet in a potential world heavyweight boxing title eliminator in Saudi Arabia…on March 18.

Francis Ngannou will fight Renan Ferreira in his MMA return after the Brazilian knocked out Ryan Bader in just 21 seconds, reports mirror.co.uk.

Former UFC heavyweight champion, Ngannou, will fight as a professional boxer for the second time in less than two weeks, but the opponent for his MMA return is now confirmed. Ferreira and Bader were fighting in the main event of PFL vs Bellator’s Championships event in Saudi Arabia on Saturday for the chance to serve as Ngannou’s next opponent in the cage.

Ferreira hurt Bader with the first jab he threw and the 6’8 Brazilian powerhouse followed it up with a right hand that put the Bellator champion on his backside. Bader knew he was in trouble and covered up on the ground, a decision that saw Ferreira pounce and finish the fight with some follow-up ground and pound.

Ngannou was cage-side for the fight in Riyadh and Ferreira called out the Cameroonian in his post-fight interview. “I am the real champion out here, I am the record breaker and record-setter,” he said.

“Francis, where are you? Let’s do this. I’ve always been ready to fight against the very best in the world, it can be against Francis in the boxing ring or in the cage, wherever he wants to do it.

“I already am one of the greatest heavyweights of all time, I’ve proved this inside of the SmartCage and I’m going to continue proving it.”

Ngannou was seen leaving the Kingdom Arena whilst Ferreira was giving his post-fight interview, butchering plans of a face-off between the future opponents.

Ngannou vacated his UFC heavyweight title last January and split with the promotion to pursue a career