Francis Ngannou is set to face PFL heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira on October 19 at the PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants event at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Despite a significant layoff and apparent mental challenges, bookmakers are confident that Francis will deliver his best in his debut for the new organization.
Renan recently defeated the aging Ryan Bader to defend his title, but analysts were not particularly impressed by that performance.
Francis Ngannou
- Background: Former UFC heavyweight champion. Has competed in professional boxing.
- Record: 20 fights, 17 wins, 3 losses.
After enduring the loss of his son, Francis decided to return to MMA to fight in his honor, rendering any doubts about his motivation irrelevant.
It’s suspected that the wrestling game plan he used against Ciryl Gane in his last MMA fight will still be effective for “The Predator” and his team. Following some initial probing and brief exchanges, he’s likely to clinch and attempt to take Ferreira to the ground.
In striking exchanges, he’ll engage at close range, aiming to trap his long-limbed opponent against the cage. Ngannou’s advantages include his immense punching power and a more diverse technical arsenal.
Ngannou is renowned for his devastating knockouts, including victories over top contenders like Stipe Miocic and Alistair Overeem. His journey from working in sand mines in Cameroon to becoming a UFC champion is a testament to his determination and work ethic.
Renan Ferreira
- Background: Current PFL heavyweight champion. Has competed in LFA and Future FC.
- Record: 19 fights, 13 wins, 3 losses, 3 no contests.
Despite holding a championship belt, Renan isn’t widely considered a top-tier threat capable of competing equally with UFC champions. He quickly dispatched veteran Ryan Bader in seconds and previously secured wins over Denis Goltsov and Stuart Austin with similar punches.
If Francis remains stationary, waiting for an opponent’s mistake as he sometimes has, he could run into a brutal counterpunch that might end his night. However, given Renan’s experience, style, and somewhat mediocre grappling, it’s reasonable to believe Ngannou can avoid such dangers, at least in the early rounds.
Standing at 6’8″ (203 cm), Ferreira has a significant height and reach advantage over most heavyweights. While his physical attributes are impressive, critics point out that his striking can be predictable, and his ground game lacks depth against elite opponents.
Fight Prediction: Ngannou vs. Ferreira
While there are no questions about “The Predator’s” motivation and mindset, concerns about his stamina and previously injured knee give some pause and slightly temper the bookmakers’ optimism.
However, let’s not forget that over the past couple of years, Ngannou has undergone extensive boxing training, including preparing for a high-profile boxing match. This experience, which most MMA fighters haven’t had, could prove invaluable. There’s little doubt that in MMA gloves, he can leverage this accumulated skill to overwhelm the straightforward Ferreira.
If Francis avoids reckless exchanges and pays close attention to his defense, he has every chance to stun his opponent in stand-up, then take the fight to the ground to either finish it or secure valuable points through ground control.
In any case, despite his hiatus from MMA, we can anticipate a spectacular return of “The Predator” to the cage.