Cameroon’s Francis Ngannou is gearing up for his return to the MMA scene to challenge Brazil’s Renan Ferreira for the PFL heavyweight title. The fight is scheduled for Saturday, October 19, with the ring walk set to begin at around 1:30am local time on Sunday. The showdown will take place at Mayadeen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as both fighters battle it out for the PFL Super Fights heavyweight championship belt.
Ngannou, a former UFC heavyweight champion, made a name for himself in the MMA world and later signed with the PFL to pursue his boxing endeavors. His journey to the top has been a long and arduous one, starting from humble beginnings in Cameroon and overcoming numerous obstacles to reach his current status as a top fighter. On the other hand, Renan Ferreira, the current PFL heavyweight champion, hails from Brazil and has a successful career in the MMA world, with notable victories over strong opponents like Denis Goltsov and Ryan Bader.
As the two fighters prepare to clash in the PFL SmartCage, Ngannou has expressed confidence in his abilities and plans to approach the fight strategically to secure a victory. While acknowledging Ferreira’s skills as a jiu-jitsu black belt, Ngannou remains focused on his game plan for the fight. Ferreira, on the other hand, sees the battle as a great honor and is ready to showcase his skills as a complete fighter, capable of both striking and grappling.
The main fight will be accompanied by a series of pre-fight events featuring prominent fighters such as Cris “Cyborg,” Larissa Pacheco, Johnny Eblen, Fabian Edwards, and others. Additionally, five undercard fights are set to build the anticipation leading up to the main event in Riyadh. Fans can catch the live coverage on various regional platforms that offer pay-per-view services, with Al Jazeera providing text and photo updates starting from 18:30 GMT on the fight day.
In terms of fight records, Ngannou boasts an impressive track record with 17 wins out of 20 fights, with a majority of victories coming by way of knockout. Ferreira, on the other hand, has 13 wins out of 19 fights, showcasing his proficiency in both striking and grappling techniques. With both fighters showcasing their skills and determination, the Ngannou vs. Ferreira showdown promises to be a thrilling battle for the PFL heavyweight title in Riyadh.