Francis Ngannou vs Renan Ferreira: The millions at stake in fight that could redefine heavyweight MMA

Francis Ngannou will be making a huge payday in his return to MMA as he faces Renan Ferreira in PFL.

Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is set to make an explosive return to the world of mixed martial arts (MMA) this weekend and this comeback will be one of the most lucrative events in his career.

After departing the UFC in early 2023, Ngannou is now poised to headline a Professional Fighters League (PFL) event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, October 19, where he will face Renan Ferreira for the PFL heavyweight title.

The event will mark Ngannou’s highly anticipated return to MMA after a brief but eventful stint in professional boxing.

After parting ways with the UFC following his successful title defense against Ciryl Gane in January 2022, Ngannou set his sights on new ventures, including a foray into boxing.

His decision to sign with the PFL was heavily influenced by the promotion's flexibility, allowing him to pursue both MMA and boxing—a rare opportunity in the world of combat sports.

Although Ngannou experienced mixed success in the boxing ring, the financial rewards have been staggering.

The Cameroonian heavyweight made waves when he dropped then-heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury during their bout last October, only to lose by a controversial decision.

The bout, however, earned him a massive payday, rumored to be in the range of millions.

He followed that up with a second fight in March against Anthony Joshua, where he was knocked out in the second round. Despite the loss, Ngannou’s financial fortunes continued to soar.

Now, as Ngannou prepares to face Brazilian heavyweight Renan Ferreira in his PFL debut, he is set to secure yet another massive payday.

"Ngannou is set to make ‘over $10 million’ (equivalent to Ksh 1.5 billion) for his PFL debut at Battle of the Giants against dangerous Brazilian Renan Ferreira on Saturday, October 19, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia," Forbes reported.

This eye-watering sum cements Ngannou's status as one of the highest-paid athletes in MMA history.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Ngannou's deal with the PFL is the minimum payout negotiated for his opponents.

Ferreira, who is currently on a four-fight knockout streak and recently finished Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader, is expected to earn a base salary of $2 million (Ksh 300 million).

This arrangement is part of Ngannou's historic contract with the PFL, which ensures that his opponents are well-compensated—a rarity in the sport, where fighter pay has often been a contentious issue.

The stakes are high for both men. For Ngannou, a victory would mark a triumphant return to the sport that made him a global superstar and reaffirm his place as one of the best heavyweights in the world.

For Ferreira, a win over Ngannou could propel him into the conversation as the world's top heavyweight, despite not competing in the UFC.

This high-profile showdown will take place at a PFL Super Fights event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with the early fight card beginning at 6:30 pm BST (10:30 am PT, 1:30 pm ET).

Fans across the globe are eagerly awaiting Ngannou’s return to MMA and the millions he will pocket from this bout add yet another layer of intrigue to the already compelling matchup.