MMA Junkie's 2024 Comeback Fighter of the Year: Francis Ngannou
The road back to MMA was long and winding for Francis Ngannou.
But when it was time to step back into the cage again, he did so with a bang. In what was his first fight in 34 months, Ngannou smashed the towering Rennan Ferreira in PFL: Battle of the Giants in October in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He finished the fight with strikes at 3:32 of Round 1.
Ngannou’s win came in his first appearance since his UFC exit that was announced in January 2023. The split was highly-publicized with both Ngannou and UFC CEO Dana White standing firm on their ground.
Ngannou ultimately signed with PFL, which allowed him to take boxing matches. Ngannou first boxed then-heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in October 2023, and nearly shocked the world. However, it was Fury that won the split decision despite being knocked down. Many viewers disagreed with the judges.
Five months later in March, Ngannou re-entered the ring. Against Anthony Joshua, the outcome was more decisive. Joshua brutally folded Ngannou over backward with knockout blows in Round 2.
One month later, Ngannou announced on social media the death of his 15-month-old son, Kobe. Crushed, Ngannou later revealed the devastating incident nearly resulted in his retirement.
Instead, Ngannou decided retirement would do his son’s memory a disservice. He then accepted the long-awaited bout with Ferreira and ended it swiftly.
Through business and public drama to devastating losses both in and outside the cage, Ngannou was not deterred. He bounced back big in 2024, keeping his name in the discussion for who is the world’s best heavyweight.
Ngannou is the 2024 MMA Junkie Comeback Fighter of the Year.
Honorable mention: Youssef Zalal
Nov 2, 2024; Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Jack Shore (red gloves) fights Youssef Zalal (blue gloves) in a featherweight bout during UFC Fight Night at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
It’s hard enough to make it to the UFC once. It’s even harder to do it twice.
Not only did Youssef Zalal do enough on the regional scene for matchmaker Sean Shelby to bring him back, he now sits on the cusp of a potential ranked matchup to start 2025.
Zalal was cut in 2022 after a 3-3-1 stint. After three MMA wins and two kickboxing wins outside the promotion, Zalal stepped into a short-notice opportunity opposite Billy Quarantillo in March 2024. He won the fight by second-round rear-naked choke.
The same submission hold won him his next fight in August. That time, Jarno Errens was the victim. To close the year, Zalal utilized an arm-triangle choke to tap Jack Shore and move him to 3-0 in an eight-month stretch.