Francis Ngannou is expected to return to MMA after his fight with Anthony Joshua in March.
The move, confirmed by Professional Fighters League CEO Peter Murray, will create huge doubt over a potential rematch with Tyson Fury.
Ngannou has not fought in MMA since he defended his UFC heavyweight belt against Ciryl Gane in January 2022.
He spent a year on the sidelines due to a knee injury before he was stripped of his title after leaving UFC.
Francis Ngannou is set to return to MMA to create doubt over a Tyson Fury rematch
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Ngannou signed with the Professional Fighters League last May but is yet to make his debut for the promotion.
He instead focused his attention on a boxing debut against Fury last October, where he almost pulled off a huge upset.
He floored the Gypsy King in the third round of his first professional fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Fury won via a split decision but many felt he was fortunate to maintain his unbeaten record.
Ngannou will enter the ring again on March 8 against Joshua, while he has also stated he wants to fight Fury again by October this year.
However, PFL chief Murray has confirmed that Ngannou will return to MMA, with his first opponent likely to be revealed later this month.
As quoted by the BBC, Murray said: "We'll have another event in the second half of the year, this summer likely, and we expect Francis to return to MMA in the PFL Smartcage.
"And we're very excited for Francis and his upcoming bout against Anthony Joshua. I would not rule out Francis Ngannou in this fight, don't underestimate him."
Ngannou returning to MMA would only delay any potential rematch he wants with Fury.
Last month, he revealed the rematch clause in their contract had to be activated within 12 months of their last fight.
Ngannou told MMA Fighting: "I win this fight [against Joshua] and I’m fighting Fury, period.
"Whether or not he has the belt. Our rematch term was within next year, so it’s going to be October this year.
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Francis Ngannou wants to fight Tyson Fury again after Anthony Joshua
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"I just want to be free and fight, the thing is with the title is this is a system I don’t want to fall into anymore.
"You have to make a concession with an organisation, I don’t want that political stuff."
He told TMZ Sports he is fully focused on fighting Fury again, adding: "I’m not looking for the winner of Tyson Fury (and Oleksandr Usyk). I’m looking for Tyson.
"Tyson owes me a fight. I don’t give a s**t about the winner of Usyk and Tyson. I’m coming after Tyson. Win or lose, I want Tyson."
Anthony Joshua will fight Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia on March 8
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Fury confirmed on Wednesday he has no plans to retire after his undisputed fight against Usyk and says a rematch with Ngannou is on his horizon.
Fury said: “I’ve got two fights with Usyk, for the undisputed twice. Then I’m gonna fight AJ at least once. Maybe twice if there’s a rematch, if he wants one after the first battering I give him.
"And then I’m gonna fight Ngannou again. And that’s just to start. So there’s five little fights for you to whet your appetite with.
"I ain’t going nowhere. Nowhere. I’m 35 years old in the prime of my life."
