Francis Ngannou says he considered retiring following the death of his son earlier this year, but has chosen to fight on as it is “the best way of honouring him”.
Cameroon’s Ngannou, who was speaking at a news conference to promote his PFL heavyweight debut against Renan Ferreira on 19 October, posted on X in April that his 15-month-old son Kobe had passed away.
The 37-year-old’s bout with Brazil’s Ferreira in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia marks his return to MMA and first fight since defeat by British boxer Anthony Joshua in March.
“Fighting for me is a lifestyle. I questioned myself if I should continue or retire, but I didn’t want my son to be the reason for me to do that,” said Ngannou.
“It’s become a new purpose for me. I decided to make a positive out of his 15 months of living. To find the strength out of him, as a motivation, to keep going instead of to quit.
“I think this is the best way of honouring him.”
Following the news conference Ngannou and Ferreira, both sporting sunglasses, faced off either side of YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, who was a compere at the event.
Ngannou told Ferreira “you’re going to face a real champion now”, prompting laughter between the pair before they sized each other up.
Their fight is billed as the ‘Battle of the Giants’, with the winner receiving PFL’s newly established “super-fights championship belt”.
The co-main event pits long-time Bellator featherweight title-holder Cris Cyborg against PFL two-weight champion Larissa Pacheco.
The fight card in Saudi Arabia will be the latest in a string of high-profile sporting events to take place in the Kingdom.
But the country continues to face criticisms for using sport to divert attention away from its poor human rights record – a process known as sportswashing.
Always the plan to return to MMA – Ngannou
Ngannou has won 17 of his 20 MMA bouts, with 12 of his victories coming via knockout, but he has not competed in the sport since defending his UFC heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane in January 2022.
He was stripped of the title a year later after failing to agree a new contract, before joining the PFL.
He is yet to debut in the promotion after turning his attention to boxing, losing to Britons Tyson Fury and Joshua in two high-profile bouts.
Ngannou says it was “always the plan” to return to MMA following his defeat by Joshua, but has not ruled out returning to boxing after the fight with Ferreira.
“I’m still looking for boxing matches. I don’t have one yet, I think I even have a few left in me. Right now I’m focusing on [Ferreira]. I don’t know what’s next, but I’ll get this one first and see the possibilities,” said Ngannou.
Ferreira won the PFL’s 2023 heavyweight tournament before defeating Bellator’s heavyweight champion Ryan Bader in February.
He has won 13 of his 19 fights, delivering 11 knockouts, and paid tribute to Ngannou when questioned by the media.
“It’s a great honour to be here. I’m ecstatic with this opportunity and it’s an honour to face somebody like Francis Ngannou,” said Ferreira.
“Francis has had a tough year in his life, but the toughest challenge in his life and in his year is going to be me right here.
“He has a big problem in front of him. I can wrestle him, knock him out, take him down to the ground and submit him.”
If you have been affected by issues raised in this article, there is information and support available on BBC Action Line.