Cameroon’s Francis Ngannou is preparing for his much-anticipated return to Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) as he takes on Brazil’s Renan Ferreira for the Professional Fighters League (PFL) heavyweight title. The fight, scheduled for October 19, will take place at the Mayadeen events venue in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Ngannou, known for his devastating knockout power, will battle Ferreira in a five-round contest, each round lasting five minutes. This showdown will mark Ngannou’s return to MMA after pursuing high-profile boxing matches, including a bout against Tyson Fury.
The fight will be streamed on multiple platforms with pay-per-view fees, and fans can follow live updates and photo coverage from Al Jazeera starting at 15:00 GMT. Ngannou and Ferreira are expected to begin their ring walks for the main event at 11 p.m. local time (20:00 GMT).
Ngannou’s story is one of resilience and triumph. The 38-year-old fighter rose to fame in 2021 when he became the UFC heavyweight champion, a title he held until 2023. His journey from a humble background in Cameroon to the global stage is nothing short of extraordinary. Born into poverty, Ngannou worked in a sand quarry at the age of 12. In his mid-20s, he made a perilous journey from Cameroon to France, crossing the Sahara Desert and enduring harsh conditions. Upon reaching Spain, he was detained for entering the country irregularly but eventually made his way to Paris, where he was homeless before finding refuge in a gym. It was here that his fighting career began to take shape.
After leaving the UFC, Ngannou signed with the PFL in May 2023. His new contract allowed him to explore his boxing ambitions, which led to high-profile bouts, including his fight against Tyson Fury and an upcoming match against Anthony Joshua in March 2024. Now, Ngannou is back in the MMA cage, ready to prove he’s still at the top of the sport.
Standing in his way is Brazil’s Renan Ferreira, a formidable fighter with an impressive record. Ferreira, nicknamed “Problemo,” captured the PFL heavyweight title by defeating Denis Goltsov with a second-round knockout. The 34-year-old has also recorded a win against Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader. Ferreira is known for his striking power and grappling skills, making him a well-rounded opponent for Ngannou.
Both fighters come from humble beginnings and have expressed mutual respect for each other. Speaking ahead of the fight, Ngannou acknowledged Ferreira’s skills but remained confident, saying, “Renan is at the top of the line, but my biggest opponent has always been myself. On Saturday night, I am going to get him, so he should be ready.”
Ferreira, in turn, praised Ngannou, calling it an “honour” to face one of the strongest men in the world. “We are both complete fighters. We can strike and grapple. I am ready to fight wherever the fight goes,” Ferreira said.
The night will also feature several undercard events, including a highly anticipated women’s featherweight fight between Cris “Cyborg” and Larissa Pacheco, and a middleweight bout between Johnny Eblen and Fabian Edwards.
Ngannou’s return to MMA has sparked excitement across the combat sports world, and fans are eager to see if he can reclaim his place at the top. While he continues to pursue his boxing dreams, this fight against Ferreira is a crucial test of his skills in the MMA cage. The PFL SmartCage will be the arena where Ngannou looks to prove that he’s still one of the most dangerous heavyweights in the world.
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