Ngannou was knocked out by Anthony Joshua earlier this year and will make his MMA return when he makes his PFL debut in October.

Francis Ngannou insists he has unfinished business in boxing as he prepares for his MMA return.

Ngannou left the UFC early last year after failing to agree terms with the promotion over a contract extension. He went on to earn millions fighting first Tyson Fury and then Anthony Joshua; coming close to beating the former before being knocked out in the second round by Joshua in March.

Francis Ngannou was knocked out by Anthony Joshua.

Ngannou will return to the cage in Saudi Arabia on November 19 when he takes on PFL heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira. But the Cameroonian is not ready to leave boxing behind just yet. “I do miss small [MMA] gloves,” he said. “I do miss the fact that you can change level, strike, grapple and do all the stuff. It feels different, but it’s what I’m used to.

“My body mechanics are used to it and getting back into it is a great thing. I am still looking forward to having some boxing matches, I’m not done yet, I think I will have a few. As of right now, I’m focused on this one; I don’t know what will be next after this fight. I’ll do this one first and I’ll see whats possible and I’ll make a decision.”

Ferreira won four fights in eight months to become PFL champion and has been rewarded with a clash with Ngannou. And he expects the former UFC fighter to be prepared for his first MMA fight in 1,000 days. “I think Francis is a committed guy,” he said. “I think he understands he has a tall task in front of him and I think he understands that, at least I hope he does.

“He did well in the first fight [against Fury] and had some great moments. In the second fight [against Joshua] I think he got too relaxed and complacent and got into too much adventure. But props to him, I’m happy for him, it shows we can go in there with boxers and make our sport proud.”