Francis Ngannou’s MMA return has been confirmedCredit: AFP

But amid his ugly UFC exit, the heavyweight superstar instead struck a deal with the Professional Fighters League.

The PFL gave Ngannou the green light to pursue his boxing ambitions while scouting for the right name to welcome him back to MMA.

And now they have announced the winner between Saturday night’s bout between Renan Ferreira and Ryan Bader will end the search.

Ngannou made his boxing debut in October against Tyson Fury, 35, scoring a stunning knockdown only to lose a controversial split-decision.

But still he fights Anthony Joshua, 34, next on March 8 back in Saudi Arabia with his boxing earnings set to reach around £20MILLION.

Ngannou is in Riyadh training for the bout and will be cageside to watch Ferreira, 34, and Bader, 40, headline the PFL vs Bellator event.

And thanks to the Cameroonian, not only will the winner earn bragging rights and a belt but also a future $2m (£1.5m) purse.

That is because when Ngannou entered talks with the PFL, he demanded his opponent be financially rewarded.

PFL founder Donn Davis told SunSport: “The actual story is, Francis said, ‘I want my opponent taken care of. Too many people don’t think about their opponent.’

“And we said great, we’ll guarantee your opponent $1million.’ And Francis said, ‘I appreciate that but how about $2m?’

“And we said, ‘Okay!’ It was Francis’ idea and Francis negotiated us up to $2m which we quickly and gladly agreed to.”

Ngannou, 37, was offered $10m (£8m) to stay with the UFC for a super-fight with Jon Jones, 36.

And Davis confirmed he matched that deal but also provided him with the chance to box at the same time and launch PFL Africa.

🚨𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 🚨

𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗩𝗬 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘𝗦 For Saturday Night 👀@francis_ngannou will face the winner of the Renan Ferriera vs Ryan Bader bout#PFLvsBellator pic.twitter.com/4dP9RqYiMu

— PFL (@PFLMMA) February 22, 2024

He said: “Without ever breaching confidence of his deal, we’ve been public that his deal with the PFL is the exact economic deal that the UFC offered him.

“What he wanted – and what the UFC would not give him – is the ability and flexibility to box – and to be a business leader and launch PFL Africa.

“So he wanted two things what the UFC wouldn’t do and those two things are changing his life; the flexibility to box an the ability to be a true business owner as chairman of PFL Africa.

“But the economic terms of when he boxes and the financial terms are the same with the PFL as they were with the UFC.

“And I think that’s why you’re seeing more and more fighters coming our way.”

Anthony Joshua and Ngannou ahead of their March 8 fight

The winner between Renan Ferreira and Ryan Bader will welcome Ngannou back to MMA