Tag: pfl

Dan Hardy Highlights Difficulty For Francis Ngannou In Renan Ferreira Fight: ‘I Might Wrestle But Then I’ve Got Five Rounds…’

Francis Ngannou is set to make his return to MMA on October 19 where his PFL debut comes with some big unknowns. Earlier this year, in his second venture into pro boxing, he was stopped for the first time in his career by Anthony Joshua. It was a devastating finish after being dropped several times […]

Continue Reading Dan Hardy Highlights Difficulty For Francis Ngannou In Renan Ferreira Fight: ‘I Might Wrestle But Then I’ve Got Five Rounds…’ at MMA News.

Francis Ngannou is set to make his return to MMA on October 19 where his PFL debut comes with some big unknowns.

Earlier this year, in his second venture into pro boxing, he was stopped for the first time in his career by Anthony Joshua.

It was a devastating finish after being dropped several times in the early stages of the fight and we don’t know how Ngannou will bounce back from such a tough loss.

In Renan Ferreira, he meets a fellow super-athlete who has proven his ability to connect with massive power at an unmatched range.

We have seen Ngannou use his grappling to secure the win when he defeated fellow-striker Ciryl Gane but will this be the same version that we see in Riyadh later this year?

Dan Hardy Breaks Down What Version Of Francis Ngannou We Will See On His Return

If there’s one area that is a weakness on Ferreira’s side, it’s his wrestling ability which has been an issue for him during his PFL career.

PFL commentator and analyst Dan Hardy isn’t convinced that even with this in mind, we will see Ngannou lace up his wrestling shoes because it’s not his usual game.

He spoke in an interview with talkSPORT shortly after the first meeting between Ngannou and Ferreira about how coming in with a grappling approach may not be the best idea for “The Predator”.

“It certainly could, especially the psychology around it right. Especially that first round where I mean, it’s not like he’s stepping back in against another heavyweight, like this guy is a legit phenom. He’s a freak, he’s tall, he’s fast, he can do backflips off of one leg, it’s ridiculous. So then you’ve got to think, if I’m Francis Ngannou and I’m standing across from this guy, I’m thinking to myself, ‘Well, I might wrestle but then I’ve got five rounds. If I start to slow down over five rounds, this guy could beat me up with a jab from a distance.’

“So for me, the confident but reckless Ngannou is the real danger on the feet in this one and we might see him go back to his wrestling again but ultimately, I think that the work that Ferreira has done at ATT [American top Team] has really shored up his wrestling and his grappling so even that’s not a foregone conclusion. I think we’re going to get a striking extravaganza and really, honestly, it’s the first one to land clean.”

Read also: 2024 PFL 9 Playoffs: Brendan Loughnane vs. Kai Kamaka III Results & Highlights (7 PM ET)

Continue Reading Dan Hardy Highlights Difficulty For Francis Ngannou In Renan Ferreira Fight: ‘I Might Wrestle But Then I’ve Got Five Rounds…’ at MMA News.

Dan Hardy Highlights Difficulty For Francis Ngannou In Renan Ferreira Fight: ‘I Might Wrestle But Then I’ve Got Five Rounds…’

Francis Ngannou is set to make his return to MMA on October 19 where his PFL debut comes with some big unknowns. Earlier this year, in his second venture into pro boxing, he was stopped for the first time in his career by Anthony Joshua. It was a devastating finish after being dropped several times […]

Continue Reading Dan Hardy Highlights Difficulty For Francis Ngannou In Renan Ferreira Fight: ‘I Might Wrestle But Then I’ve Got Five Rounds…’ at MMA News.

Francis Ngannou is set to make his return to MMA on October 19 where his PFL debut comes with some big unknowns.

Earlier this year, in his second venture into pro boxing, he was stopped for the first time in his career by Anthony Joshua.

It was a devastating finish after being dropped several times in the early stages of the fight and we don’t know how Ngannou will bounce back from such a tough loss.

In Renan Ferreira, he meets a fellow super-athlete who has proven his ability to connect with massive power at an unmatched range.

We have seen Ngannou use his grappling to secure the win when he defeated fellow-striker Ciryl Gane but will this be the same version that we see in Riyadh later this year?

Dan Hardy Breaks Down What Version Of Francis Ngannou We Will See On His Return

If there’s one area that is a weakness on Ferreira’s side, it’s his wrestling ability which has been an issue for him during his PFL career.

PFL commentator and analyst Dan Hardy isn’t convinced that even with this in mind, we will see Ngannou lace up his wrestling shoes because it’s not his usual game.

He spoke in an interview with talkSPORT shortly after the first meeting between Ngannou and Ferreira about how coming in with a grappling approach may not be the best idea for “The Predator”.

“It certainly could, especially the psychology around it right. Especially that first round where I mean, it’s not like he’s stepping back in against another heavyweight, like this guy is a legit phenom. He’s a freak, he’s tall, he’s fast, he can do backflips off of one leg, it’s ridiculous. So then you’ve got to think, if I’m Francis Ngannou and I’m standing across from this guy, I’m thinking to myself, ‘Well, I might wrestle but then I’ve got five rounds. If I start to slow down over five rounds, this guy could beat me up with a jab from a distance.’

“So for me, the confident but reckless Ngannou is the real danger on the feet in this one and we might see him go back to his wrestling again but ultimately, I think that the work that Ferreira has done at ATT [American top Team] has really shored up his wrestling and his grappling so even that’s not a foregone conclusion. I think we’re going to get a striking extravaganza and really, honestly, it’s the first one to land clean.”

Read also: 2024 PFL 9 Playoffs: Brendan Loughnane vs. Kai Kamaka III Results & Highlights (7 PM ET)

Continue Reading Dan Hardy Highlights Difficulty For Francis Ngannou In Renan Ferreira Fight: ‘I Might Wrestle But Then I’ve Got Five Rounds…’ at MMA News.

2024 PFL 9 Playoffs Results & Highlights: Brendan Loughnane Outlasts Kai Kamaka III

The 2024 PFL Playoffs continued on Friday night with the last of three semifinal events in the postseason, and MMA News has you covered with all the action! The Professional Fighters League was back this week, with the championship finals at featherweight and welterweight decided at The Anthem in Washington D.C. In the 145-pound main event, 2022 PFL kingpin […]

Continue Reading 2024 PFL 9 Playoffs Results & Highlights: Brendan Loughnane Outlasts Kai Kamaka III at MMA News.

The 2024 PFL Playoffs continued on Friday night with the last of three semifinal events in the postseason, and MMA News has you covered with all the action!

The Professional Fighters League was back this week, with the championship finals at featherweight and welterweight decided at The Anthem in Washington D.C.

In the 145-pound main event, 2022 PFL kingpin Brendan Loughnane returned for the next step in his pursuit of a second title. To reach another final, the Brit got the better of ex-UFC fighter Kai Kamaka III across three rounds.

He’ll now go on to face Timur Khizriev with $1 million prize money and this year’s featherweight championship on the line after the Russian outlasted Gabriel Braga in the other semifinal

The welterweight bracket, meanwhile, saw Magomed Umalatov make good on his favorite status by defeating Neiman Gracie in the PFL 9 co-main event. That result ensured an always likely all-Russian final, with his compatriot Shamil Musaev beating another Russian in Murad Ramazanov in their immediate rematch.

With that said, see below for the full results, followed by all the highlights!

2024 PFL 9 Playoffs Results & Highlights

Main Card:

  • Featherweight Semifinal Main Event: Brendan Loughnane def. Kai Kamaka III via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
  • Welterweight Semifinal Co-Main Event: Magomed Umalatov def. Neiman Gracie via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Featherweight Semifinal: Timur Khizriev def. Gabriel Braga via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)
  • Welterweight Semifinal: Shamil Musaev def. Murad Ramazanov via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Preliminary Card:

  • Welterweight: Mukhamed Berkhamov def. Ray Cooper III via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
  • Featherweight: Enrique Barzola def. Tyler Diamond via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Featherweight Jose Perez def. Jesse Stirn via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Heavyweight: Maxwell Djantou Nana def. Kent Mafileo via KO (punch): R2, 4:50
  • Welterweight: Shido Boris Esperança def. Tyler Hill via TKO (punches): R1, 3:31

Shido Boris Esperança Def. Tyler Hill

Maxwell Djantou Nana Def. Kent Mafileo

Jose Perez Def. Jesse Stirn

Enrique Barzola Def. Tyler Diamond

Mukhamed Berkhamov Def. Ray Cooper III

Shamil Musaev Def. Murad Ramazanov

Timur Khizriev Def. Gabriel Braga

Magomed Umalatov Def. Neiman Gracie

Brendan Loughnane Def. Kai Kamaka III

Continue Reading 2024 PFL 9 Playoffs Results & Highlights: Brendan Loughnane Outlasts Kai Kamaka III at MMA News.

Francis Ngannou Clears The Air On Dana White Claiming He Ducked Jon Jones: ‘The Guy Who Control The Narrative…’

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, it’s common knowledge in MMA circles that Francis Ngannou and Dana White have a rocky relationship. After being the UFC’s biggest heavyweight superstar for quite some time, Ngannou left due to contract-related conflicts, and White has never been happy about it. Since Ngannou’s departure, White has frequently taken […]

Continue Reading Francis Ngannou Clears The Air On Dana White Claiming He Ducked Jon Jones: ‘The Guy Who Control The Narrative…’ at MMA News.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, it’s common knowledge in MMA circles that Francis Ngannou and Dana White have a rocky relationship. After being the UFC’s biggest heavyweight superstar for quite some time, Ngannou left due to contract-related conflicts, and White has never been happy about it.

Since Ngannou’s departure, White has frequently taken jabs at the former UFC heavyweight champ. The UFC President has blamed him for not fighting Jon Jones and has discredited his boxing career as well.

In the press conference for his PFL debut against Renan Ferreira on Oct. 19 in Saudi Arabia, Ngannou finally fired back at White’s latest comments…

Francis Ngannou Reveals Why Jon Jones Fight Didn’t Happen Despite His Request

While talking to journalists at the PFL press conference, Ngannou flipped the script and claimed that Jones didn’t want to fight him in the UFC. He allegedly requested the fight multiple times but was told that “Bones” wasn’t willing to fight as he was enjoying life in Albuquerque.

“As far as I’m concerned, it was Jon Jones didn’t want to fight for me, according to them. And so many time that we sit down on the meeting, I’m like, oh it can’t happen Jon Jones doesn’t want to fight anymore. You know, like he live in Albuquerque. He live his small life. He has a lot of money in his bank account, you know. So, I think, the guy who control the narrative can say whatever he wants but that’s just the narrative. I never, I was the one requesting the Jon Jones fight but I didn’t want that like a trap, to get into some deal and get to something I didn’t want.”

As per “The Predator”, another reason why the Jones fight couldn’t happen was his contract. He was down to fight the UFC light heavyweight GOAT but wanted a contract that benefited him in ways other than just money. This included the freedom to box, in-cage sponsorships, and health insurance, among other things.

Ngannou’s relationship with the UFC fell apart when both parties couldn’t negotiate a contract that fulfilled the former’s demands. Instead, the UFC heavyweight champ left the promotion and signed with the PFL.

Continue Reading Francis Ngannou Clears The Air On Dana White Claiming He Ducked Jon Jones: ‘The Guy Who Control The Narrative…’ at MMA News.

Video – Francis Ngannou faces off with Renan Ferreira after emotional outburst pre-PFL debut

Video - Francis Ngannou faces off with Renan Ferreira after emotional outburst pre-PFL debutFormer undisputed heavyweight UFC champion, Francis Ngannou finally came face-to-face with incoming foe, Renan Ferreira ahead of his PFL…

Video - Francis Ngannou faces off with Renan Ferreira after emotional outburst pre-PFL debut

Former undisputed heavyweight UFC champion, Francis Ngannou finally came face-to-face with incoming foe, Renan Ferreira ahead of his PFL (Professional Fighters League) debut against the Brazilian in Saudi Arabia later this annum, where he struggled to hold back tears whilst discussing the tragic passing of his son earlier this year.

Ngannou, a former undisputed heavyweight champion under the banner of the UFC, has yet to compete in mixed martial arts since he successfully unified the promotional titles against then-interim champion, Ciryl Gane back in 2022.

Francis Ngannou back in training as ex-UFC prepares for PFL debut it's in the works

Handing the Frenchman his first professional loss, Cameroonian favorite, Ngannou landed a unanimous decision win over the former, before departing the promotion to sign with the PFL the following annum.

Francis Ngannou emotional discussing passing of late son, Kobe

And finally slated for his first venture to the SmartCage following a pair of professional boxing matches against former world championship winning duo, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, Ngannou featured at a pre-fight press conference today ahead of his clash with Ferreira in October.

Francis Ngannou issues tribute to late son Kobe after tragic funeral he came like a king and he left as a king
Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez – USA TODAY Sports

“FIghting for me is a lifestyle,” Francis Ngannou told assembled media ahead of his PFL MMA debut. “I questioned myself if I should continue or retire, but I didn’t want my son to be the reason for me to do that.”

“It becomes a new purpose for me,” Francis Ngannou explained. “I decided to make a positive out of his 15 months of living. To find strength out of him, as a motivation, to keep going instead of quitting. I think this is the best way of honoring him.”

240430 Francis Ngannou ch 1422 b1f886

In his most recent appearance under the PFL banner, Ferreira won an inaugural Super Belt in a heavyweight title fight against Bellator MMA champion, Ryan Bader, laying waste to the former UFC light heavyweight contender with a blistering opening round knockout win in Riyadh, earning a fight against Batie knockout artist, Ngannou.

PFL CEO Peter Murray open to signing Muhammad Mokaev: ‘When I look at a kid like that, that’s an opportunity’

PFL CEO Peter Murray open to signing Muhammad Mokaev: 'When I look at a kid like that, that’s an opportunity'PFL CEO, Peter Murray has described the potential signing of UFC veteran, Muhamamd Mokaev to a rumored deal with…

PFL CEO Peter Murray open to signing Muhammad Mokaev: 'When I look at a kid like that, that’s an opportunity'

PFL CEO, Peter Murray has described the potential signing of UFC veteran, Muhamamd Mokaev to a rumored deal with the promotion, as an “opportunity” worth taking — as the unbeaten star looks to kickstart his career once more following his Octagon exit.

Mokaev, a former top contender under the banner of the UFC in the promotion’s flyweight ranks, most recently competed at the end of July, landing a close decision win over fellow contender and bitter rival, Manel Kape in Manchester, England.

mo mokaev 3

However, in the immediate aftermath of his win, the unbeaten Muhammad Mokaev confirmed that he had completed his contractual obligations with the UFC, and despite remaining hopeful of striking a new deal — promotional boss, Dana White revealed he would not be rewarded with a fresh contract and would be handed his walking papers to boot.

Muhammad Mokaev draws more links to potential PFL move

Muhammad Mokaev cut from UFC because of the PFL

Linked with a slew of potential moves including a landing in the SmartCage with the PFL, and a return his former stomping ground in Middle Eastern-based organization, Brave CF — Mokaev’s chances of remaining in North America have been boosted via Murray’s recent comments.

‘They Can Have Him’ Conor McGregor Applauds Dana White for Releasing Muhammad Mokaev

“I do think the flyweight category is something we will be getting into in the future,” Peter Murray told Sherdog during a recent interview. “I know our guys are looking at it. You look at fighters like Muhammad Mokaev; he’s a 13-0 flyweight from Dagestan. This kid has the second-longest winning streak in UFC flyweight history. He was 23-0 as an amateur. When I look at a kid like that, that’s an opportunity.”

I believe Muhammad Mokaev could absolutely be the future face of flyweights within the Professional FIghters League, should that be a weight class we open up in the Global Season or within our Bellator platform,” Murray explained. “It’s absolutely something we’re looking at and this kid is impressive.”