Francis Ngannou is set to earn a pretty penny for his return to mixed martial arts next month.

Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion, has not competed in MMA since a January 2022 win against Ciryl Gane in the Octagon, after which he spent time on the sidelines rehabbing a knee injury before transitioning to boxing where he competed against two of the best heavyweights of this generation in Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.

But on Saturday, October 19 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Ngannou will return to the sport in which he made his name when he takes on giant Brazilian Renan Ferreira in his debut appearance for the PFL — and according to Forbes who cite sources close to the Cameroonian fighter, Ngannou is set to earn somewhere north of $10 million for the fight.

As part of Ngannou’s deal with the PFL which he signed some months after the expiration of his UFC contract, Ngannou reportedly requested a provision that would guarantee his opponents a purse of at least $2 million when they fight him.

Speaking earlier this month, Ferreira thanked Ngannou for guaranteeing that his opponents will earn (in most cases at least) career-high paydays.

“My respect for him has only grown because of him seeking better opportunities for not only him as an athlete,” Ferreira said.

“Not only for gaining space in the boxing scene as well, which we know is hard for MMA fighters to do that — although he didn’t have a good performance in his last fight — but it was enormous of him to say that his opponent should be valued as well. It was very nice of him.

“I’m happy to be there and to be fighting him. This turning point in my career is the culmination of a long road of hard work and dedication. I’m proud of the history I’ve created with honesty, never stomping on others. It makes me really happy.”