What’s Next for Francis Ngannou after Anthony Joshua KO?

By Boris Esono Nwenfor

LEBIALEM, Cameroon – Former UFC Heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou says he is not done with boxing despite having suffered two straight defeats in his boxing career. On Friday, March 8, the Predator was knocked out by Anthony Joshua in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Their fight was the main event of a boxing night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The fight ended in the second round after Joshua knocked out Ngannou. The Cameroonian had been knocked down twice before that.

"The Predator" gained the freedom to box while signing with PFL for the MMA competition. Ngannou is two fights into his boxing experiment and shot straight for the top, jumping straight in with the Fury's and Joshua's of the boxing world. While his paydays have been lucrative, his record currently has a zero in the win column.

“He's really special because he (Joshua) managed to beat me. He achieved what Tyson Fury couldn't do. It wasn't my day. He was just so much better than me today. It's unfortunate to accept that, but that's the way things are," Francis Ngannou said post-fight.

“I have to think about the next steps that need to be taken. However, I will probably return to MMA next, but don't worry, I'm not done here. Speaking about the punch, I didn't feel it. In my opinion, that's what a knockout is all about."

A return to MMA is on the table for Ngannou and one that the PFL expects to occur later in 2024. Renan Ferreria, who won the 2023 heavyweight season and defeated Ryan Bader at PFL vs. Bellator: Champions for the right to face Ngannou, has said he will be waiting.

Ngannou’s last MMA fight was his final UFC appearance in January 2022. He defeated Ciryl Gane to retain the heavyweight title at UFC 270, which was later vacated after deciding to not re-sign with the promotion due to the restrictive nature of the contract.

"So, Ngannou got knocked out. At this level of punching power that both these guys have, it happens. One loss, even a knockout, is not the end for Francis and a sign that he should leave boxing. It looks like he tried to box AJ more than he should have instead of relying on his power," Barnett wrote on his X social media page.

"Let this be a big warning to all MMA fighters. Stop coming to boxing, it will only get worse even than if we came to your sport. Just one punch! Former interim WBC lightweight champion Ryan Garcia said.

According to Anthony Joshua, he plans to meet the winner of the fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury, who are set to determine the absolute heavyweight champion on May 18.

"My team is shaping my future. I'm only here to fight. Back in my cage - I'll come out when it's time to fight. I just want to fight; a fight with the winner of the fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury. Yes, I'm interested in it," - stated Joshua.