Francis Ngannou‘s return to MMA against Renan Ferreira in a PFL event raises doubts about his star power and pay-per-view draw, with UFC legend Matt Brown questioning the financial viability and risk involved for Ngannou, especially after his recent knockout loss in boxing.
Francis Ngannou is finally making his way back to the MMA scene this Saturday, facing Renan Ferreira in a high-stakes PFL event. The promotion is banking on Ngannou’s reputation as its biggest free-agent signing ever.
But can Ngannou’s star power actually convince fans to shell out $49.99 for the pay-per-view? UFC legend Matt Brown has his doubts.
“He’s not that big of a star,” Brown commented on the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer. He noted that people tuned in to watch Ngannou fight Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury because of their fame, not just his.
Brown further elaborated, “Francis is fighting a ‘D’ side here. It’s not a ‘B’ side.” According to him, without a notable opponent, Ngannou alone might not draw enough viewers to justify his paycheck.
Ngannou left the UFC as a heavyweight champion, yet the promotion rarely discloses specific pay-per-view sales figures for individual fighters. Reports suggest that even his biggest UFC fights didn’t achieve blockbuster sales.
His boxing match against Fury did well globally but fell short in the U.S., where prices were steeper. Fury’s own stardom played a significant role in those numbers.
Given these factors, Brown remains skeptical about Ngannou pulling massive numbers for his PFL debut without a big-name opponent. “A lot of these promoters need to understand we’re all deeply entrenched in the world of MMA,” he explained.
Brown pointed out that while fighters like Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey have crossed into mainstream recognition, Ngannou hasn’t reached that level yet. “I love Francis Ngannou, all due respect, he ain’t crossed the bridge.”
In boxing, Ngannou faced two of the sport’s top names—Fury and Joshua—which helped boost interest. But now, it’s up to him alone to sell the fight in PFL.
“How many people actually care?” Brown questioned. While many watched Ngannou face Fury and Joshua, he wonders how many will pay to see him fight Ferreira.
Despite his reservations, Brown hopes for Ngannou’s success with PFL but doubts its long-term viability as an investment. He also fears that Ngannou could suffer a brutal loss in this upcoming bout.
Ngannou hasn’t fought in MMA for nearly three years and is coming off a knockout loss to Joshua in boxing—a setback that might affect his ability to take hits moving forward.
Ferreira may not be a household name, but he packs a punch. “Renan Ferreira, it’s still a high-risk fight,” Brown said. The size and strength of Ferreira pose significant risks for Ngannou.
While committed to MMA for now, Ngannou has expressed interest in returning to boxing eventually. Brown sees this as a more viable path than MMA at present.
“I’d like to see him get back to boxing,” Brown suggested. He believes Ngannou should fight an up-and-comer or journeyman—someone he’s likely to beat—to rebuild his career.
“[Why are you] coming back to MMA?” Brown pondered aloud. He speculated whether contractual obligations with PFL or financial incentives are driving this decision.
For those interested in more insights from Matt Brown and others, tune into new episodes of The Fighter vs. The Writer every Tuesday on platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.