Francis Ngannou approaches first fight since Anthony Joshua’s brutal knockout with star to make MMA return after two years away

FRANCIS NGANNOU is set to return to MMA for the first time in two years following his brutal boxing defeat to Anthony Joshua.

Ngannou left the UFC last year to pursue a lucrative move to boxing, but did so after signing with the Professional Fighters League.

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The PFL gave the go-ahead for the move to boxing and the former UFC champion faced Tyson Fury, 35, in October.

He sensationally knocked down the undefeated heavyweight boxer only to lose a controversial split decision.

Ngannou then faced Fury’s British rival Joshua, 34, in March, but ended in a second-round knockout defeat.

And the second consecutive boxing defeat appears to have sent the Cameroonian hero back to MMA for his next fight.

PFL boss Donn Davis said: “We spoke to Francis and he said before the fight in Saudi Arabia that he planned to come into MMA this year.

“It just depended on the result of that fight, he said that if he lost it would be sooner and if he won it would be later, so it will be sooner.

“He says he’s recharging his batteries, he went home to Cameroon after the fight.”

Brazilian Renan Ferreira, 34, knocked out former UFC star Ryan Bader, 40, in 20 seconds in February to earn a fight with the returning Ngannou.

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SunSport understands another PFL pay-per-view is returning to Saudi Arabia with Ngannou at the top.

Davis added: “We think it will be autumn, it could be as early as September or later in October. I think it will be one of those two, but he will be ready.

“It’s been a little over two years since we’ve seen each other in MMA and we’re looking forward to seeing you in SmartCage against Renan Ferreira.”