‘Best performance yet’… Francis Ngannou tipped to bounce back from Anthony Joshua KO with career-best display in PFL debut

Dan Hardy expects Francis Ngannou to be better than ever in his MMA comeback fight.

The former UFC heavyweight champion hasn’t fought in MMA since outpointing Ciryl Gane over five rounds at UFC 270 in January 2022.

After a year of unfruitful contract negotiations, Ngannou left the UFC, signed with PFL, and made millions in boxing bouts with Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, who brutally knocked him out when they fought in Saudi Arabia in March.

Hardy, a former UFC welterweight contender who was recently named PFL’s Director of Fighter Operations in Europe, believes Ngannou will look better than ever when he returns to MMA.

READ MORE: Who is Francis Ngannou? Inside the former UFC heavyweight champion’s journey from poverty to combat sports superstardom

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty ImagesFrancis Ngannou will headline PFL Super Fights: Battle of the GiantsRenan Ferreira is the man who will welcome Ngannou back to MMA.

The 6ft 8in Brazilian earned his shot at the lineal heavyweight champion by knocking out Ryan Bader in 21 seconds and terrifying Jake Paul by celebrating with a backflip.

Many believe ‘Problema’ will cause Ngannou big problems when they clash at The Mayadeen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday night – but Hardy thinks the Cameroonian KO artist will be better than ever after almost three years away from MMA.

“We’ve got to take into account how much he would’ve improved over these past few years, especially if it’s just his boxing,” Hardy told BloodyElbow.com.

“He’s spent a lot of time preparing for Tyson Fury, a tall, rangy guy like he’s facing here. I certainly think that switching over from one sport to another and proving, at least in the Tyson Fury fight, that he can stand his ground and hold his own, I think that’s going to give him a lot of confidence.

“Obviously, it’s been a turbulent time for him recently and I just feel like it’s going to be really healthy to channel his mind into and I think we are gonna get the best performance yet.

“I’m just excited to see him back in MMA and I do think it’s time. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see him go back to boxing. I think there are some interesting bouts out there for him, but MMA is really where he shines, in my opinion.”

EXCLUSIVE: ‘Time catches up with us all’ … UFC legend Dan Hardy wouldn’t be surprised if Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson is called off at the last minute

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty ImagesDan Hardy isn’t writing off Renan FerreiraHardy insists Ngannou will have to be better than ever to get by Ferreira, who possesses freakish athletic ability and is currently in the form of his life.

‘The Outlaw’ gives Ferreira a chance against Ngannou, Jon Jones, Tom Aspinall, Stipe Miocic, and any other heavyweight heralded as ‘the best’ by MMA fans.

Hardy added: “The guy he is fighting, Renan Ferreira, is a terrifying individual. I would put him in there with any heavyweight on the planet right now.

“I think Ferreira is going to try to use his height and reach. You know, he’s 6ft 8in and he moves incredibly well. We saw him just drift around the side of Ryan Bader before he put him away.

“They are dangerous shots for Ngnanou because, for the power that Ngnanou has got, he needs to be planted to the floor when he initiates those punches. If Ferreira is constantly moving his range and his angle, that’s going to give Ngannou a lot to try and deal with.

The other thing to remember is Renan Ferreira was very different a couple of years ago. Since he’s moved to American Top Team, you can see they’ve clearly highlighted the gaps in his game, he’s been working tremendously on his ground game.

Ultimately, Hardy thinks Ngannou vs Ferreira may come down to who lands first, even though he believes the South American has a big advantage in one particular realm.

“If these guys start throwing in each other’s direction it very much is whoever lands first because they both have that power,” he concluded.

“The one thing that I would say leans in Renan Ferreira’s side on the string is not only the reach, but the length of his legs and his ability to kick… that adds a whole different dimension to the range’s that you’ve got to deal with when you’re fighting someone that height.”