Francis Ngannou got a first glimpse of the man who will share the cage with him in his first MMA outing since 2022. โPredatorโ let it slide when HW Renan Ferreira won big earlier this year at the PFL vs. Bellator Champions Super Show in Riyadh. Now, Ferreira welcomes him to his PFL debut soon. The first press conference took place Thursday at 1 p.m. ET.
PFL โBattle of the Giantsโ presser happened inside The Anthem in Washington D.C. After their Q&A session, the two engaged in their first pre-fight staredown. It was fierce, as Ngannou grabbed Ferreiraโs arms, and the Brazilian pounded the former UFC championโs chest. Right before, while he respected him, Renan Ferreira had some words of choice for the rival.
For sure, this fight seals the deal on whoโs the best heavyweight in the world…These are two guys in their prime, heavy hitters, very similar style…Francis has been going through a tough year in his life, but the toughest challenge in his life and in his year is gonna be me. Iโm gonna be the biggest problem of his year…
Renan Ferreira at the PFL โBattle of the Giantsโ: Ngannou vs. Ferreira Kickoff conference interviews
Francis Ngannou will throw down against him at the PFL PPV card on October 19 at The Mayadeen in UAE. The event was presented by PFL โSuper Fight Athleteโ Jake Paul. โThe Problem Childโ took his first promotional host duties quite diligently while mixing it up with zest. He even quipped and introduced himself as Ariel Helwani. However, things gravitated to a heavy undertone soon.
Ngannou tragically lost his 15-month-old son,ย Kobe, in April. โThe Predatorโ very recently said he contemplated retiring altogether after it. 2024 had been problematic for the ex-UFC champion. Renan Ferreira is empathetic but in a crass way. โProblemaโ resolves to be his biggest problem in MMA so far. Subsequently, Ngannou has plans ahead.
Francis Ngannou reveals the biggest driver to win against Renan Ferreira
Francis Ngannou and his battle with Renan Ferreira almost didnโt happen. The hulking 6-foot-8 Ferreira (13-3 MMA, 7-1 PFL) recently won the seasonal HW championship againstย Denis Goltsov. Additionally, he laced up another win withย a 21-second KOย ofย Ryan Baderย in February at the crossoverย PFL vs. Bellator: Championsย event. Stylistically, he is quite the challenge, and Ngannou welcomes it,
However, Ngannou had more than half a mind never to make itย to the event. His son Kobeโs passing hit him hard and will always persist from now on. Close friends Kamaru Usmanย andย Samuel Etoโoย had accompanied himย back to Cameroon for Kobeโs funeral. While very reluctantly, he did join camp later. Now, Ngannou says whatever he does, whoever he fights, will be for Kobe.
My goal right now is not just about being back in MMA, itโs about being back in activity in combat sports in general..I think I always had a purpose, I always look forward for my reason why…I havenโt questioned if I have to continue or if I just hang up the gloves then I realized that should be a purpose for me. I didnโt have a chance to fight for my son man, so I think this is it.
Fracis Ngannou at the PFL โBattle of the Giantsโ: Ngannou vs. Ferreira Kickoff conference interviews; H/T: Bloodyelbow.com
โThe Predatorโ mentioned thinking of hanging up the gloves but will go on for Kobeโs sake. Ngannou will chair the PFL Africa ventureย in conjunction with PFL MENA (Middle East and North Africa). Given the cultural implications and the advancement he can bring as a member of the Global Athlete Advisory Board, the African fighter will carry on.