Tag: Battle Of The Giants

VIDEO: Israel Adesanya Pumped Up While Live Reacting To Francis Ngannou’s Dominant MMA Return

Former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya was ecstatic to see Francis Ngannou make a winning return to mixed martial arts. Adesanya was among the keen viewers tuning in for this past weekend’s PFL pay-per-view in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which was headlined by Ngannou’s first taste of MMA action since January 2022. Back then, “The […]

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Former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya was ecstatic to see Francis Ngannou make a winning return to mixed martial arts.

Adesanya was among the keen viewers tuning in for this past weekend’s PFL pay-per-view in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which was headlined by Ngannou’s first taste of MMA action since January 2022.

Back then, “The Predator” held the UFC heavyweight belt and successfully stalled the title ambitions of Ciryl Gane. On Oct. 19, he captured PFL gold at the expense of Renan Ferreira, whom he brutally pummeled into unconsciousness in under four minutes.

During a video recently uploaded to his FREESTYLEBENDER YouTube channel, Adesanya reacted to his friend and fellow African standout’s long-awaited MMA comeback and SmartCage debut.

“The Last Stylebender” was visibly pumped up during the finishing sequence, which saw referee Dan Miragliotta come under criticism for what many deemed to have been an egregiously late stoppage.

Adesanya later became emotional as the victorious Ngannou teared up post-fight while dedicating the victory to his late son, Kobe.

“Let’s go, brother,” Adesanya said, before recapping Ngannou’s win. “Flawless. That was a beautiful performance. He took one leg kick, dodged the flurry, and eventually timed his right hand, shot for a double, kept him there and knocked him out.

“Proud, inspired, and just happy to watch him do his thing,” Adesanya continued. He’s gone through so much in his career — even still. After the whole boxing thing, people were doubting him. … They forget who this man is. … I’m glad he reminded everybody why he’s the best, why he’s the one, why he’s Francis Ngannou.”

It remains to be seen what will come next in the career of Ngannou, and whether his sights will remain on the cage or return to the ring following a two-fight boxing stint across the past year.

But with talk of dream showdowns with the likes of Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall rising back to the surface following this past weekend’s result, it would appear that plenty have strong interest in “The Predator’s” MMA exploits moving forward.

Continue Reading VIDEO: Israel Adesanya Pumped Up While Live Reacting To Francis Ngannou’s Dominant MMA Return at MMA News.

Francis Ngannou Almost Withdrew From MMA Return Due To Injury, Coach Reveals

Former UFC champion Francis Ngannou made a successful return to mixed martial arts this past weekend, but as it turns out, injury had threatened to derail it. Ngannou entered the cage on Saturday for the first time since a victory over Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 in January 2022. After departing the promotion and signing […]

Continue Reading Francis Ngannou Almost Withdrew From MMA Return Due To Injury, Coach Reveals at MMA News.

Former UFC champion Francis Ngannou made a successful return to mixed martial arts this past weekend, but as it turns out, injury had threatened to derail it.

Ngannou entered the cage on Saturday for the first time since a victory over Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 in January 2022. After departing the promotion and signing with the PFL, “The Predator” turned his attention to the chance to complete a long-desired boxing crossover.

While his success against Tyson Fury left many questioning whether he’d compete in MMA again, a knockout loss to Anthony Joshua this past March was soon followed by confirmation of his SmartCage debut.

That came on October 19 in the main event of the PFL’s second pay-per-view of the year, staged at The Mayadeen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Ngannou showed he hasn’t lost a step, taking Renan Ferreira down and ground-and-pounding him to a first-round knockout.

During an interview with MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn in the aftermath of the PFL event in the Middle East, coach Eric Nicksick reflected on the hardships his man endured this year.

And when it came to fight camp for Saturday’s Battle of the Giants event, that included a rib injury that came close to scrapping the main event altogether.

“It was bad enough to where you’ve got to think: He blew out his knee and wasn’t going to pull out of the Ciryl Gane fight, (but almost pulled out of this one),” Nicksick said. “There’s a difference, different stakes, but also it was a different type of pain for him, and obviously we had a grappling-heavy game plan.

“He was worried if he was on his back, how he would be able to move and try to grapple with an injured rib. Once he went to the doctors and they cleared him with an MRI and everything else, I think he realized, ‘I’m going to be OK. I’m going to get through this still.’”

Ngannou ultimately overcame that piece of adversity, which marked far from his toughest experience of this year.

Following his boxing defeat to “AJ,” the Cameroonian star tragically lost his son, Kobe, at the age of just 15 months. Ngannou admitted that his child’s passing brought him close to retirement, and he dedicated the win on Saturday to Kobe.

Continue Reading Francis Ngannou Almost Withdrew From MMA Return Due To Injury, Coach Reveals at MMA News.

Renan Ferreira Issues First Statement On Brutal PFL Loss To Francis Ngannou: ‘A Bit Broken…’

PFL heavyweight Renan Ferreira has spoken publicly for the first time since falling to a devastating fate at the hands of Francis Ngannou in Riyadh. In his return to Saudi Arabia eight months on from a rapid knockout of Ryan Bader at the PFL vs. Bellator event, Ferreira was the one on the wrong end […]

Continue Reading Renan Ferreira Issues First Statement On Brutal PFL Loss To Francis Ngannou: ‘A Bit Broken…’ at MMA News.

PFL heavyweight Renan Ferreira has spoken publicly for the first time since falling to a devastating fate at the hands of Francis Ngannou in Riyadh.

In his return to Saudi Arabia eight months on from a rapid knockout of Ryan Bader at the PFL vs. Bellator event, Ferreira was the one on the wrong end of a quick conclusion in the main event.

The Brazilian headlined this past weekend’s Battle of the Giants pay-per-view at The Mayadeen in Riyadh, welcoming Ngannou back to mixed martial arts.

While “Problema” vowed to upset the odds and stall “The Predator’s” debut inside the SmartCage, he was quickly taken down and ground-and-pounded into unconsciousness.

With many seeing the stoppage as late, there was some concern over Ferreira’s condition in the immediate aftermath. Fortunately, he returned to his feet for the official result and has since released a statement on social media.

On his Instagram Stories, the 2023 PFL champ admitted to being ” a bit broken” by the disappointing result. He did, however, vow to bounce back stronger and thanked his supporters for their backing.

“Hey guys, Renan ‘Problema’ here, a bit broken,” Ferreira said in Portuguese. (h/t Danny Segura). “Yesterday wasn’t a good day at work, guys, but I’m very happy with all our dedication and everything that developed through our work. I’ve always had the mindset of never losing, for myself, to fight any lack of dedication and commitment, and thank God I have a clean conscience. I worked very hard there, showed up well to the fight, and was happy to return.

“Unfortunately, my opponent was superior. He managed to impose a game where that I couldn’t defend the takedowns, which led to very hard ground-and-pound to get through. And that’s it, life goes on, we’ll be back. I want to thank everyone for all the love and support, we’re always together. Hugs.”

While Ferreira looks ahead to his opportunity to return to winning ways next time out, all eyes are on Ngannou and his plans in MMA.

Though his desire to lace the boxing gloves is seemingly far from fulfilled, the Cameroonian’s emphatic comeback to the sport in which he made his name has no doubt only increased the fans’ appetite for some major matchups in the cage.

Continue Reading Renan Ferreira Issues First Statement On Brutal PFL Loss To Francis Ngannou: ‘A Bit Broken…’ at MMA News.

Undercard For Ngannou-Topped PFL PPV Opens With Comeback Of The Year Contender

Things started with a bang at PFL Battle of the Giants: Ngannou vs. Ferreira on Saturday afternoon. The Professional Fighters League is staging its second pay-per-view event of the year in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia today, with The Mayadeen playing host to a number of intriguing matchups. And before three championship fights headline and Francis Ngannou […]

Continue Reading Undercard For Ngannou-Topped PFL PPV Opens With Comeback Of The Year Contender at MMA News.

Things started with a bang at PFL Battle of the Giants: Ngannou vs. Ferreira on Saturday afternoon.

The Professional Fighters League is staging its second pay-per-view event of the year in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia today, with The Mayadeen playing host to a number of intriguing matchups.

And before three championship fights headline and Francis Ngannou makes his return to mixed martial arts, plenty of fighters have the opportunity to impress on the preliminary card.

In that regard, the undefeated Taha Bendaoud certainly capitalized — though it initially appeared as though his opponent was set to pick up the compliments.

Midway through the second round of the card’s opening bout, Tariq Ismail held dominant position and rained down blows on “Atlas Lion.” Bendaoud’s defense thinned, leaving referee Bryan Miner giving multiple verbal warnings of an impending stoppage.

But just when hope appeared to be drifting, the Moroccan fighter latched onto a tight triangle choke, forcing a tap from Ismail and completing one of this year’s best comebacks thus far.

The PFL will hope for similar action throughout the night, especially when the five-fight main card commences.

Following a highly anticipated clash between Irish prospect Paul Hughes and former Bellator champion AJ McKee, all eyes will turn to gold.

In addition to Johnny Eblen and Fabian Edwards running it back for the former’s Bellator middleweight title, the inaugural superfight championships will be on the line in Cris Cyborg vs. Larissa Pacheco and Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira.

Continue Reading Undercard For Ngannou-Topped PFL PPV Opens With Comeback Of The Year Contender at MMA News.

VIDEO: PFL Releases Destructive Trailer For Francis Ngannou’s MMA Return

The build-up toward Francis Ngannou’s MMA return and Professional Fighters League (PFL) debut has picked up with the official trailer for the upcoming pay-per-view event. For the first time since January 2022, Ngannou will make the walk for a mixed martial arts contest on October 19 in Saudi Arabia. There, the former UFC champion will […]

Continue Reading VIDEO: PFL Releases Destructive Trailer For Francis Ngannou’s MMA Return at MMA News.

The build-up toward Francis Ngannou’s MMA return and Professional Fighters League (PFL) debut has picked up with the official trailer for the upcoming pay-per-view event.

For the first time since January 2022, Ngannou will make the walk for a mixed martial arts contest on October 19 in Saudi Arabia. There, the former UFC champion will collide with Renan Ferreira in the main event of the “Battle of the Giants” card.

Since defending the UFC gold against Ciryl Gane over two years ago, Ngannou’s combat sports outings have come inside the ring, where he threw down with two heavyweight greats in Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.

While he took “The Gypsy King” to the limit, he was brutally knocked out by “AJ” earlier this year, and his sights are now back on the cage for the time being.

PFL Releases ‘Official Trailer’ For Ngannou vs. Ferreira

Ahead of Ngannou’s debut in the SmartCage, which comes 17 months on from his signing with the PFL, an “official trailer” has been released.

The cinematic video has a Godzilla vs. Kong look to it, with Ngannou and Ferreira taking out a city amid their “Battle of the Giants.”

While all eyes will be on “The Predator” as he returns to MMA action in the main event, a number of intriguing bouts are set for the undercard.

That includes another major debut, with Bellator Women’s Featherweight Champion Cris Cyborg colliding with two-weight PFL title winner Larissa Pacheco in the co-headliner.

Gold will also be on the line on the main card, as Bellator Middleweight Champion Johnny Eblen and Fabian Edwards run it back following the postponement of their scheduled rematch in London last month.

Continue Reading VIDEO: PFL Releases Destructive Trailer For Francis Ngannou’s MMA Return at MMA News.