- Ngannou lost by knockout to Joshua in Saudi Arabia last month.
- Former UFC star suffered losses in his first two boxing bouts
- Ngannou is reportedly scheduled to return to action in September or October.
Francis Ngannou has reportedly agreed to his first fight since losing to Anthony Joshua and will return to action in September or October.
The former UFC heavyweight champion was soundly defeated by Joshua in his second professional boxing bout last month.
He was sent to the canvas three times in Saudi Arabia as Joshua won by knockout in the second round.
Ngannou had raised hopes with a sensational knockdown of WBC world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury before losing by split decision last October.
The Cameroonian is currently expected to return in September or October, but he also plans to return to mixed martial arts.
Ngannou entered into an “exclusive global MMA strategic partnership” with the Professional Fighters League last May, but has yet to make his promotional debut.
PFL head coach Don Davis revealed that Ngannou is scheduled to face Brazilian fighter Renan Ferreira in his debut fight later this year.
“We spoke to Francis and he told us before the fight in Saudi Arabia that he intended to compete in MMA this year,” Davis told the Mirror.
“It depended on the outcome of the match. If we lost, it would be faster, if we won, it would be slower, so it would be faster,” he said.
“He said he was recharging and went back to Cameroon after the match.” [Joshua] Fight. I think it will be autumn, but it could be as early as September or as late as October.
“I think it's going to be one of those two, but he'll be ready.
“It’s been a little over two years since I’ve seen Francis in MMA, and I’m looking forward to seeing him take on Renan Ferreira in the smart cage.”
Ferreira took the fight after defeating Ryan Bader on the PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions card in February.
Ferreira, the PFL champion, enters the fight with a record of 13 wins and 3 losses.
Ngannou will be joining the PFL's Superfight division, where fighters can earn at least 50 percent of pay-per-view revenue.
He left the UFC last January despite reportedly turning down an offer that would have made him the highest-paid heavyweight in history.
The fighter was released by the organization and stripped of his heavyweight belt after deciding not to renew his contract with the promotion.
Despite his loss to Joshua and his upcoming return to mixed martial arts, Ngannou has previously stressed that he is not done with boxing.
