After shockingly taking down WBC heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury in October of last year, Ngannou had high hopes after that bout ended in a split decision.

The Cameroonian is scheduled to make his MMA comeback in September or October, but that is now the anticipated return date.

Francis Ngannou is due to return in September or October after his loss to Anthony Joshua

In Riyadh last month, the former UFC heavyweight champion was knocked out in the second round.

Ngannou has not yet made his promotional debut despite having inked a “exclusive global MMA strategic partnership” with the Professional Fighters League in May of last year.

Ngannou is scheduled to make his debut against Brazilian boxer Renan Ferreira later this year, according to PFL CEO Donn Davis.

“We spoke with Francis, and he stated that he intended to participate in mixed martial arts this year prior to the match in Saudi Arabia,” Davis claimed to the Mirror.

It simply relied on how the fight turned out; he stated that it would happen sooner if he lost and that it would have happened later if he had won.

“He says he is resting; following the fight with Joshua, he returned to Cameroon.” We believe that autumn will arrive; it can happen as early as September or as late as October.

He will be prepared, but I believe it will be one of those two.

We are thrilled to see Francis in the SmartCage versus Renan Ferreira as it will be a little more than two years since we last saw him compete in mixed martial arts.

After defeating Ryan Bader on the PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions card in February, Ferreira set up the bout.

Ngannou is due to make his PFL debut after signing a contract with the promotion last year

His debut with the promotion is expected to come against Brazilian star Renan Ferreira

PFL champion Ferreira comes into the bout with a record of 13 wins and three losses.

Ngannou will take part in PFL’s Super-fight division, which allows fighters to earn at least 50 per cent of the pay-per-view revenue.

He had left the UFC last January despite reportedly turning down an offer that would have made him the highest-paid heavyweight of all time.

The fighter was released by the organisation and stripped of his heavyweight belt after taking the decision not to renew his contract with the promotion.

Despite his loss to Joshua and his upcoming mixed martial arts return, Ngannou has previously stressed he is not finished with boxing.