Tag: Renan Ferreira

Opening Betting Odds Released For Francis Ngannou & Cris Cyborg’s PFL Debuts

Oddsmakers are seeing one of the two blockbuster matchups announced for the next PFL pay-per-view as a lot closer than the other… This week, the Professional Fighters League (PFL) confirmed its expected second Super Fight PPV card of 2024, the first of which pitted its champions against Bellator titleholders in Saudi Arabia this past February. […]

Continue Reading Opening Betting Odds Released For Francis Ngannou & Cris Cyborg’s PFL Debuts at MMA News.

Oddsmakers are seeing one of the two blockbuster matchups announced for the next PFL pay-per-view as a lot closer than the other…

This week, the Professional Fighters League (PFL) confirmed its expected second Super Fight PPV card of 2024, the first of which pitted its champions against Bellator titleholders in Saudi Arabia this past February.

The next major lineup on October 19 boasts two huge names at the top, with former UFC champions Francis Ngannou and Cris Cyborg making their respective PFL debuts in the headlining acts.

In the main event, Ngannou returns to mixed martial arts following a two-match boxing stint. His first taste of action inside the cage since January 2022 comes against an expected opponent in Renan Ferreira, the 2023 PFL heavyweight title winner who stopped Ryan Bader in just 21 seconds earlier this year to secure a showdown with “The Predator.”

Setting the stage for those two heavyweight behemoths will be Cyborg, the reigning Bellator women’s featherweight champion and an all-time great. Her frustrated calls for an MMA return against two-weight PFL champ Larissa Pacheco have finally been answered.

Both bouts will be contested for Super Fight titles. And in terms of who will walk away from the October 19 event with an additional piece of gold for their trophy cabinet, oddsmakers believe one matchup is easier to call…

Ngannou Heavy Favorite For Successful Comeback, Pacheco Narrow Underdog Against Cyborg

Shortly after the top two clashes for the PFL’s next PPV card were announced in a press release on Wednesday, opening odds were released by BetOnline.ag.

Given his destructive run toward the UFC’s heavyweight gold prior to his departure from the MMA leader and subsequent boxing venture, it’s perhaps unsurprising to see Ngannou heavily favored.

“The Predator” has opened at -350, with Ferreira’s underdog line reading +285.

The co-headliner is seen as much closer, with Cyborg a narrow -140 favorite against Pacheco’s +125 line. The PFL standout became the promotion’s first-ever two-division title winner last year when she added featherweight gold to her 2022 lightweight success.

The PFL is yet to confirm any other bouts for the October 19 event, but French star Cédric Doumbé has previously been touted for the fall PPV. Also, Yoel Romero recently spilled the beans on a Bellator light heavyweight title fight against champ Corey Anderson on that date.

Continue Reading Opening Betting Odds Released For Francis Ngannou & Cris Cyborg’s PFL Debuts at MMA News.

‘Predator Is On The Hunt’ – MMA Fans React To Confirmation Of Francis Ngannou’s PFL Debut, Renan Ferreira Clash

Mixed martial arts enthusiasts had plenty of thoughts after former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou’s MMA comeback was made official. Fans of the Cameroonian powerhouse have had to wait over two years for an announcement regarding his next outing in the sport, having not competed since a successful UFC title defense against Ciryl Gane in […]

Continue Reading ‘Predator Is On The Hunt’ – MMA Fans React To Confirmation Of Francis Ngannou’s PFL Debut, Renan Ferreira Clash at MMA News.

Mixed martial arts enthusiasts had plenty of thoughts after former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou’s MMA comeback was made official.

Fans of the Cameroonian powerhouse have had to wait over two years for an announcement regarding his next outing in the sport, having not competed since a successful UFC title defense against Ciryl Gane in January 2022.

The rest of that calendar year saw Ngannou recovering from a serious knee injury, and 2023 began with his exit from the MMA leader off the back of a lengthy contractual dispute.

He later found a new MMA home in the form of the Professional Fighters League (PFL), who granted “The Predator” his freedom to venture to boxing. A close fight with Tyson Fury and violent defeat to Anthony Joshua later, Ngannou is finally set to grace a cage once again.

The PFL revealed its next pay-per-view event for October 19 in a press release on Wednesday, headlined by Ngannou’s return against 2023 heavyweight title winner Renan Ferreira for a PFL Super Fight belt.

Co-headlining the major lineup will be another ex-UFC champ in Cris Cyborg, as the Bellator featherweight queen meets two-time PFL titleholder Larissa Pacheco.

MMA Fans React To Ngannou vs. Ferreira PPV Main Event: ‘We Want Cédric Doumbé On This Card!’

Unsurprisingly, MMA fans were quick to flock to social media to react to confirmation of Ngannou’s long-awaited PFL debut.

While some predicted a brutally successful return to action for “The Predator,” others questioned if his chin will hold up against the heavy hands of Ferreira following a devastating setback at the hands of Joshua in the ring earlier this year.

Continue Reading ‘Predator Is On The Hunt’ – MMA Fans React To Confirmation Of Francis Ngannou’s PFL Debut, Renan Ferreira Clash at MMA News.

BREAKING: Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira in the PFL booked for October 19

Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira in the PFL booked for October 19Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira was just confirmed hours ago. It will be taking place on October 19 in…

Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira in the PFL booked for October 19

Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira was just confirmed hours ago. It will be taking place on October 19 in the Professional Fighters League. This fight event will feature the inaugural PFL Superfight Belts.

Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira

Cameroon’s Francis Ngannou will meet the towering Brazilian Renan Ferreira later this year in the PFL. Problema’ Ferreira stands at an incredible 6’8″ and is coming off of a quick 22-second knockout of Ryan Bader, the Bellator heavyweight king. Throughout the Brazilian’s career, he has earned the 2023 PFL Heavyweight Championship in addition to the PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions Super Belt. Incredibly, he has a knockout win rate of eighty-five percent.

The lineal MMA world champion Francis Ngannou will finally make his long-awaited debut in the PFL. The Cameroonian-born athlete holds the lineal titles from the UFC Heavyweight Championship, PRIDE FC, UFC 1, Strikeforce, and plenty more. He is the former UFC heavyweight king who walked away from the organization and now works as a core member of the PFL. Ngannou is the Chairman of PFL Africa and will help launch the organization soon.

Ngannou and Saudi Arabia have become key partners of the PFL. The Cameroonian athlete has boxed world champions Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, Renan Ferreira earned his stunning knockout of Bader in the nation’s capital.

Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira on October 19 will be for the PFL Superfight Belt.

Cris Cyborg vs. Larissa Pacheco

Also featured at the same event will be Cris Cyborg vs. Larissa Pacheco. The PFL Superfight Belt will be on the line in this highly anticipated matchup. Brazil’s Larissa Pacheco is a two-time PFL world champion, who has notable wins over fighters such as Kayla Harrison, Julia Budd, and Marina Mokhnatkina, among others.

Having earned titles in Bellator, Strikeforce, and the UFC, Cris Cyborg is a trailblazer in the sport and one of the all-time greats. She will look to earn another title against the Brazilian Larissa Pacheco on October 19.

BREAKING: Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira in the PFL booked for October 19

Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira in the PFL booked for October 19Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira was just confirmed hours ago. It will be taking place on October 19 in…

Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira in the PFL booked for October 19

Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira was just confirmed hours ago. It will be taking place on October 19 in the Professional Fighters League. This fight event will feature the inaugural PFL Superfight Belts.

Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira

Cameroon’s Francis Ngannou will meet the towering Brazilian Renan Ferreira later this year in the PFL. Problema’ Ferreira stands at an incredible 6’8″ and is coming off of a quick 22-second knockout of Ryan Bader, the Bellator heavyweight king. Throughout the Brazilian’s career, he has earned the 2023 PFL Heavyweight Championship in addition to the PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions Super Belt. Incredibly, he has a knockout win rate of eighty-five percent.

The lineal MMA world champion Francis Ngannou will finally make his long-awaited debut in the PFL. The Cameroonian-born athlete holds the lineal titles from the UFC Heavyweight Championship, PRIDE FC, UFC 1, Strikeforce, and plenty more. He is the former UFC heavyweight king who walked away from the organization and now works as a core member of the PFL. Ngannou is the Chairman of PFL Africa and will help launch the organization soon.

Ngannou and Saudi Arabia have become key partners of the PFL. The Cameroonian athlete has boxed world champions Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, Renan Ferreira earned his stunning knockout of Bader in the nation’s capital.

Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira on October 19 will be for the PFL Superfight Belt.

Cris Cyborg vs. Larissa Pacheco

Also featured at the same event will be Cris Cyborg vs. Larissa Pacheco. The PFL Superfight Belt will be on the line in this highly anticipated matchup. Brazil’s Larissa Pacheco is a two-time PFL world champion, who has notable wins over fighters such as Kayla Harrison, Julia Budd, and Marina Mokhnatkina, among others.

Having earned titles in Bellator, Strikeforce, and the UFC, Cris Cyborg is a trailblazer in the sport and one of the all-time greats. She will look to earn another title against the Brazilian Larissa Pacheco on October 19.

Francis Ngannou feels like ‘boxing owes him something’ following his devastating KO loss to Anthony Joshua

Francis Ngannou feels like 'boxing owes him something' following his devastating KO loss to Anthony JoshuaFrancis Ngannou isn’t done just yet. ‘The Predator’ returned to the squared circle on Friday, March 8, for a…

Francis Ngannou feels like 'boxing owes him something' following his devastating KO loss to Anthony Joshua

Francis Ngannou isn’t done just yet.

‘The Predator’ returned to the squared circle on Friday, March 8, for a showdown with the WBC’s top-ranked heavyweight contender, Anthony Joshua. The bout emanated from Kingdom Arena, the same venue where Ngannou went 10 rounds with Tyson Fury, and nearly defeated ‘The Gypsy King’ in his critically acclaimed pro boxing debut.

Unfortunately, things would not go quite as well for Ngannou the second time around. The former UFC heavyweight champion was sat down by Joshua in back-to-back rounds before being blasted with a vicious right hand that sent Ngannou crashing to the canvas.

Francis Ngannou KOd by Anthony Joshua

Many assumed that Francis Ngannou would head back to the world of mixed martial arts to make his long-awaited debut for the Professional Fighters League following the loss. However, ‘The Predator’ appears to have different plans. In a video on Ngannou’s YouTube channel, he reveals that a third boxing match could be next and admitted to feeling like boxing “owes” him something after his brutal defeat in the ‘Knockout Chaos’ headliner.

“What’s next for me? Maybe a third boxing match,” Ngannou said. “I feel like boxing owes me something now. I have to regain what boxing took out of me. I think my ego will not let me step back and let go of this without doing everything to reinstall and prove to the world that I am the man of this job. I can do it, you know. I slipped, but I didn’t fall. I stumbled, but I didn’t fall.

“I think if I go back, train, learn from it, and use it as an advantage and experience for my personal growth, I think it will not be a loss. I will be able to reverse it and make it a victory. A life victory. Not only a sports victory.”

Francis Ngannou and Anthony Joshua

Could We See Francis Ngannou vs. Deontay Wilder next?

We’re not sure if anyone is clamoring to see Francis Ngannou step back inside the boxing ring, but if he does, one of the names already being tossed around is Deontay Wilder. Holder of the WBC heavyweight title from 2015 to 2020, ‘The Bronze Bomber’ is considered to be one of the most dangerous punchers in the game, though he has struggled to find his way into the win column as of late.

After absorbing back-to-back losses against Tyson Fury, Wilder bounced back with a first-round knockout of Robert Helenius. Sadly, he followed up the quick finish with a lackluster performance against Joseph Parker in December 2023, losing via unanimous decision to the 35-3 fighter.

With both men coming off losses, it could be a perfect pairing. And if not, Francis Ngannou still has 2023 PFL heavyweight tournament winner Renan Ferreira eagerly waiting to welcome him to the Smart Cage.

Francis Ngannou issues statement after shocking KO loss against Anthony Joshua: ‘I let you all down’

Francis Ngannou releases statement after KO loss to Anthony Joshua I let you downFrancis Ngannou had a bad night at the office. After delivering a critically acclaimed performance against Tyson Fury in…

Francis Ngannou releases statement after KO loss to Anthony Joshua I let you down

Francis Ngannou had a bad night at the office.

After delivering a critically acclaimed performance against Tyson Fury in his professional boxing debut last October, Ngannou felt as confident as ever going into Friday’s showdown with the WBC’s top-ranked contender, Anthony Joshua.

While Ngannou looked good in the opening minutes, Joshua didn’t take long to take over, planting ‘The Predator’ on the mat before the end of the first round with a solid straight right. Ngannou got back to his feet and made it to the second round where Joshua sat him down again with a repeat right hand. Ngannou again answered the referee’s count, but this time, Joshua had no intention of letting him off the hook. Joshua immediately moved in, blasting the Cameroonian with a booming right hook that immediately rendered Ngannou unconscious.

Anthony Joshua lands thunderous second round KO win over Francis Ngannou in stunning victory Highlights
Mandatory Credit: Richard Pelham

Sorry guys I let you all down,” Ngannou wrote on X following the devastating defeat. “Today was a bad day in the office but tomorrow will be another day. Thank you all for the love.”

Francis Ngannou expected to follow up his loss to Anthony Joshua with PFL debut

With the loss, Francis Ngannou fell to 0-2 in his pro boxing career, though that’s certainly nothing to be ashamed of considering the losses have come against two of the toughest heavyweights in the world.

Anthony Joshua improved to 28-3 with three straight finishes and will likely find himself fighting the winner of May’s unified heavyweight world title tilt between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.

Fighters react to Anthony Joshua's KO win over Francis Ngannou stop coming to boxing it will only get worse
Mandatory Credit: Richard Pelham

Chances are, Ngannou’s boxing experiment is far from over, but for now, ‘The Predator’ will turn his attention back toward MMA for his long-awaited PFL debut. Expected to meet him inside the Smart Cage is the 2023 heavyweight tournament winner, Renan Ferreira.

‘Problema’ only needed 21 seconds to put away Bellator MMA heavyweight champion Ryan Bader in the PFL vs. Bellator main event last month, guaranteeing himself a fight with ‘The Predator’ later this year.