Eric Nicksick, coach of former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, commented on the news that the Franco-Cameroonian fighter will have his next MMA fight against the winner of the Ryan Bader vs. Renan Ferreira bout.
Recall that Bellator heavyweight champion Bader will face Ferreira, the winner of the PFL regular season, on the night of February 25 in Saudi Arabia at the PFL vs. Bellator: Champions event.
I know the Ferreira guy definitely intrigues Francis more in my opinion. I think it’s gonna depend on what’s gonna happen in this Joshua fight. I think if he goes out and performs well or knocks this dude out, I think it puts him in a position to be fighting for the world title. I think it really hinders on what happens March 8 on what goes on from that point, whether we’ll be back to MMA or he’s fighting for the belt (in boxing).
Eric Nicksick
Ngannou will have a boxing match against former heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua on March 8 in Riyadh.
Ngannou made his professional ring debut in October 2023 against WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. The fight went the distance and ended with Ngannou's defeat by split decision.