Ngannou expecting to retire from MMA and boxing by 2028

Francis Ngannou has revealed this week that he intends to retire from combat sport sometime between 2026 and 2028.

The Cameroonian shared his plans ahead of a return to mixed martial arts next weekend, when he makes his PFL debut against Renan Ferreira.

It will be Ngannou’s first MMA fight in almost 1,000 days, with the former UFC heavyweight champion competing in high-profile boxing matches against the likes of Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua over the last two years instead.

Speaking to media on Wednesday, Ngannou explained he had more to give in both MMA and boxing.

“For sure, I still have a couple fights in both left,” he said.

“I have an appetite to go back into boxing.

“I just turned 38, so I will say my retirement, when I start getting around 41 or 42.

“It could be 40, but this is just in an exceptional case.

“This time I think I really have to enjoy my time inside the octagon and inside the ring, and then have my last dance and go home.”

Ngannou acknowledged that while he could likely fight for much longer, he has a desire to go out while he is still at his peak.

“Heavyweights can go for a long time,” he said.

“Even middleweight, I think Dan Henderson was 46 when he fought Michael Bisping the last time in London and that was in middleweight.

“Then Glover Teixeira was champion at 42. He was a light heavyweight.

“But the thing here, I just want to say I want to leave the sport before the sport leaves me.

“I would like to leave at the top of my game.

“We will see how it goes. You make plans, but then God has plans. We will see.”

Ahead of his clash against the PFL’s heavyweight champion, Ngannou expressed confidence in his body despite recent surgery and a long absence from the sport.

“My body is holding up well,” he said.

“Obviously I had a knee surgery, but that was over two years ago now.

“It took me quite a long time, over a year to really get back.

“But now I’m really strong. By the time I get back into the fight, I get very strong.

“I can kick. Even though kicking is not my cup of tea, I do kick.”

Ngannou and Ferreira clash on October 19, with the Cameroonian a heavy -303.03 favourite to win across most MMA betting sites.

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