Francis Ngannou has revealed a rematch will happen with Tyson Fury in OctoberCredit: Reuters

Ngannou will first be back in action against Anthony Joshua in MarchCredit: Getty

In October last year Ngannou shocked the world on is boxing debut with a virtuoso display against WBC heavyweight champ Tyson Fury, dropping him in the third round of their “Battle of the Baddest”.

Despite the former UFC heavyweight champion controversially losing on points to the Gypsy King – he is ready to get back in the ring to do it all again.

In an interview with the MMA Hour the Predator confirmed the contract clause between him and Fury meant a rematch would not happen right away, but within 12 months of the first bout.

He said: “The rematch has never been right away.

“I think there’s even a slight chance that the ‘right away’ is the Usyk rematch.

“Because I think their term is even closer, our rematch term was in one year. Within one year. Which is still gonna be in October this year.”

But before Fury, Ngannou will take on AJ in a money-spinning clash where Forbes predict after pay-per-view and additional bonuses, the Cameroonian will take home at least $20m (£15.7m).

SunSport understands the Riyadh rumble has been earmarked for March 9 – the date initially reserved for Joshua’s now dead-in-the-water clash with Deontay Wilder.

Meanwhile, Fury will bid to become the undisputed ruler of the heavyweight division in Saudi Arabia next month in a long-overdue showdown with former pound-for-pound king Oleksandr Usyk.

Ngannou continued: “It’s going to happen. I mean there’s Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, even then we spoke about it.

“There’s Fury and Usyk going on, so the Joshua fight was like an opportunity.

“I was waiting for Fury, but this was the opportunity that I was happy to take, I asked for.

“And at the end of the day, this won’t take anything away from the Fury rematch.”

Ngannou is also signed with the Professional Fighters League so fans could expect him to return to MMA in between his fights with AJ and Fury.

He hasn’t been in the octagon since his win over Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 in January 2022.