One of the victors on the PFL’s Battle of the Giants: Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira card has had their win overturned after failing a drug test. The Professional Fighters League staged its latest pay-per-view event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this past October. It marked a big night for the promotion, with heavyweight star Francis […]
One of the victors on the PFL’s Battle of the Giants: Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira card has had their win overturned after failing a drug test.
They emerged victorious in the headline spots, defeating Renan Ferreira and Larissa Pacheco, respectively. A number of other fighters made the most of their position on the major lineup, including Johnny Eblen, Zafar Mohsen, and Paul Hughes on the main card.
Disaster has struck for one of those names, however.
MMA Junkie reported this week that Mohsen’s unanimous decision victory over Husein Kadimagomaev has been overturned to a no contest.
The information came through Mohegan Tribe Department of Athletic Regulation chief Mike Mazzulli, who confirmed that a drug test submitted by Mohsen on fight night was flagged as positive in the aftermath.
Daniel Cormier is confident that the UFC won’t struggle to maintain its status as the MMA leader following the recent PFL pay-per-view. The Professional Fighters League has long looked to establish itself as a “co-leader” in the sport of mixed martial arts, and the promotion had one of its most important events to date this […]
Daniel Cormier is confident that the UFC won’t struggle to maintain its status as the MMA leader following the recent PFL pay-per-view.
The Professional Fighters League has long looked to establish itself as a “co-leader” in the sport of mixed martial arts, and the promotion had one of its most important events to date this past weekend.
In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the PFL’s latest PPV went down. Toward the end of what’s been an up and down first year post-Bellator acquisition, the organization looked to thrill audiences with the likes of Francis Ngannou and Cris Cyborg.
Suffice to say, the card ended in style and with plenty discussing the events that unfolded inside The Mayadeen. But when it comes to the PFL’s production as a whole, many remain unimpressed.
And during a recent episode of his Good Guy / Bad Guy show alongside Chael Sonnen on ESPN MMA’s YouTube channel, Cormier shared that sentiment.
“It’s competition, but is it really competition? The WWE and AEW has some sort of competition. The WCW, when they were there, was competition to the WWE,” Cormier said. “Conor McGregor spoke on this last weekend. He said, ‘The UFC has no competitors.’
“I felt like, even though we were watching the biggest star outside the UFC, it was never more clear to me that there really is no competition,” Cormier continued. “Is it good that the UFC doesn’t have a competitor that can really push them?”
The PFL appears more than happy with how the Battle of the Giants PPV played out and was received, however. Founder and chairman Donn Davis claimed as much during a recent Town Hall-style interview with MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck.
The coach of newly crowned PFL Super Fights Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou believes Renan Ferreira made a critical error in the lead-up to their clash this past weekend. Ngannou made an emphatic return to mixed martial arts on October 19, having not competed inside a cage since a successful UFC title defense back in January […]
The coach of newly crowned PFL Super Fights Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou believes Renan Ferreira made a critical error in the lead-up to their clash this past weekend.
During an appearance on Tuesday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned, coach Eric Nicksick reflected on his man’s performance in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The Xtreme Couture trainer spoke about the mindset Ngannou entered the cage with, explaining how it became more dangerous after Ferreira’s antics during their faceoff at the ceremonial weigh-ins the previous night.
“I just felt like there was a certain way about Francis, and especially after the faceoff,” Nicksick said. “I felt like Renan f*cked up by head-butting him and getting in his face, because it really took Francis to a different place. It really did. I’ve never really seen Francis, not necessarily mad, but it lit a fire under his ass in a different way.
“I’m thankful for Renan doing that, you know?” Nicksick continued. “When he did that, I looked over at Dewey (Cooper) and was like, ‘Yeah, dude. This is perfect. Thanks.’”
“The Predator” recently praised “Problema” in a social media post, branding him an “incredible competitor.” The Brazilian entered the contest off the back of a title-winning PFL campaign in 2023 and rapid knockout of Bellator kingpin Ryan Bader this past February.
This journey wouldn’t be complete without me thanking @renan_problema_mma for being a great sport, an incredible competitor, and for pushing me to go the extra mile every day in the past months—even though you kicked the hell out of my leg! #BattleOfTheGiants@pflmmapic.twitter.com/22YHPIOUmo
We can seemingly count Conor McGregor among those unimpressed by the Professional Fighters League (PFL) and its latest pay-per-view offering. The PFL staged its second PPV of the year in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this past weekend, with The Mayadeen playing host to a stacked lineup that included one Bellator title fight and the crowning of […]
In regard to the Bellator stakes, the middleweight belt remained in the possession of Johnny Eblen after he once again got the better of Fabian Edwards.
There’s little doubt that the thrilling co-main event and “The Predator’s” brutal knockout to close the show delivered the fireworks many had expected. But while McGregor had compliments for their performances, he was less positive when it came to the overall show.
“Wow!” McGregor exclaimed. “Oh my god! No! What the hell?! Wow. Oh my god! No way! F*ck off. This can’t be happening right now. He’s holding him! How’s he doing this? Oh my god! F*ck off.”
Though he ultimately laid praise on Cyborg’s triumph later in the night, he was at it again when the Brazilian held top position over Larissa Pacheco.
“Wow! This is f*cking excitement,” McGregor joked. “This is excitement.”
Both of those videos on X were deleted, as was a subsequent post that rejected the PFL’s chances of competing with the UFC.
“UFC has zero competition in MMA,” McGregor wrote.
After everything that he has been through this year, Francis Ngannou’s MMA return was a triumphant one as he stopped Renan Ferreira in the first round. The main event of PFL Battle Of The Giants ended up on the ground early on after the former UFC champion secured the takedown. His Brazilian opponent was able […]
After everything that he has been through this year, Francis Ngannou’s MMA return was a triumphant one as he stopped Renan Ferreira in the first round.
The main event of PFL Battle Of The Giants ended up on the ground early on after the former UFC champion secured the takedown.
His Brazilian opponent was able to threaten with a triangle choke, but once “The Predator” made his way out, he positioned himself to unload strikes.
Several unanswered ground and pound strikes — too many, in fact — laid Ferreira flat out on the canvas, leaving an emotional Ngannou to share a touching embrace with his coaches.
Ngannou spoke in his post-fight interview about how he was confident that he wouldn’t have lost a step during his time away but dealing with his emotions on fight week following the tragic passing of his son earlier this year was very difficult for him to overcome.
MMA Fans React To Successful MMA Return Of Francis Ngannou In PFL PPV Headliner
MMA fans and fighters on social media reacted to the emotional scenes as the Cameroonian did what he does best and delivered a scary knockout.
The post-fight comments also spoke about the stoppage of the fight, with Ferreira seemingly being knocked out only for him to be hit with several more big shots before referee Dan Miragliotta stepped in.
Wow they really wanted Renan Ferreira to die in there. Francis Ngannou is still the king at heavyweight. Nobody else has a claim till he loses or retires.
That was an awesome and much needed performance from Francis, but can't him and his team stop crying cause it's making me way too emotional now #PFLSuperFights
Johnny Eblen retained the Bellator middleweight title at PFL‘s Battle Of The Giants pay-per-view by beating Fabian Edwards via unanimous decision. The champion was largely dominant throughout the first four rounds, consistently landing his takedowns without landing too much significant damage. Edwards tried to turn the tide in the fifth frame, which was by far […]
Johnny Eblen retained the Bellator middleweight title at PFL‘s Battle Of The Giants pay-per-view by beating Fabian Edwards via unanimous decision.
The champion was largely dominant throughout the first four rounds, consistently landing his takedowns without landing too much significant damage.
Edwards tried to turn the tide in the fifth frame, which was by far his best of the fight as he kept the fight standing and put the pressure on the American, Unfortunately for him, it was too little, too late.
Eblen got the stoppage the first time they met in Dublin, and though he was unable to put Edwards away the second time around, the result wasn’t in doubt at the end of the five rounds in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
MMA Fans React To A Slow, Grueling Bellator Middleweight Title Rematch
MMA fans reacted on social media to the Eblen vs. Edwards rematch that took place as the first of three title fights on the PFL’s second PPV event of the year.
Many were critical of Eblen’s performance despite his dominant victory to retain the title. Others compared it to the manner in which Fabian’s brother, UFC star Leon Edwards, was dethroned by Belal Muhammad in Manchester this past July.
Johnny just Belal'd Leon Edwards' brother lol #PFLSuperFights
Fabian had some great adjustments and really made Eblen fight for that but zero urgency in the first 4 rounds to win. 48-47 Eblen at worst. #PFLSuperFights
Johnny eblen with one of the worst title defences I’ve seen. Literally just high school wrestling, no attempt to finish at all. Not even ground control it was up don up down. No damage done whatsoever #PFLSuperFights
Too little too late from Fabian Edwards. He saved his best work for the last round, just like his brother, but couldn't find the finish. Easy 49-46 card for Eblen on my end. #PFLSuperFights
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