Francis Ngannou is keen on the idea of squaring off against Glory Kickboxing world champion Rico Verhoeven.
The Cameroonian cage fighter returned to the Octagon for the first time in two years last weekend with a first-round knockout win over Renan Ferreira in his PFL debut.
Ngannou returned to winning ways after two years away from MMAGetty
Ngannou wants to return to action in the second quarter of next year but at present it is unclear whether he will compete in boxing or MMA.
“It could be either one (boxing or MMA). I don’t know yet,” Ngannou told the Ariel Helwani show.
“I don’t have a hand on that one. I don’t have a decision. I think it also depends on the promotion. It depends.
“I don’t know if PFL will come up with something or a fight. Maybe we will work on it. Then, if it’s boxing, same thing.
“I don’t really have a preference. I just think it’s going to be next year. Maybe the second quarter.”
There aren’t many PFL heavyweights capable of hanging with Ngannou after he laid out their 2023 tournament winner in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
But there are a fair few options in the boxing sphere.
The one that is being talked about the most is a clash with former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder.
But perhaps a more intriguing match-up is a blockbuster showdown with kickboxing legend Verhoeven, who hasn’t lost a fight in nine years.
When Helwani put the proposition to Ngannou about boxing with Verhoeven, he said: “I am friends with him. We met once at the gym.
Verhoeven is the Glory Kickboxing heavyweight championGETTY
“Yes, we are friends but not to the extent where we can’t fight each other. We are gym friends… Send me a deal.”
Verhoeven is 64-10 in kickboxing and is currently riding an impressive 20-fight win streak.
Among his long list of victims are former world champions Badr Hari, Gokhan Saki and Peter Aerts.
Helwani claims Glory is interested in making the fight happen while Verhoeven has also stated that he would happily share the ring with Ngannou.
“You know about those Crossover things, You shouldn’t answer, but yes,” he told the Welcome to the AA Podcast after being asked whether he be open to facing Ngannou.
“I would ask someone for example Ngannou… I would do it but not MMA.
“It is just a completely different sport so in boxing kickboxing no problem.”
