Tag: Renan Ferreira

Francis Ngannou’s Coach Discards Chin-Related Concerns Against Renan Ferreira Despite Anthony Joshua KO

Francis Ngannou last fought in the UFC in January 2022 and left the promotion amidst contract disputes. He’s since had two boxing matches, against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. Although he lost both bouts, the fight against Fury went the distance and many backed him to be the winner. On October 19, 2024, Ngannou will […]

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Francis Ngannou last fought in the UFC in January 2022 and left the promotion amidst contract disputes. He’s since had two boxing matches, against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. Although he lost both bouts, the fight against Fury went the distance and many backed him to be the winner.

On October 19, 2024, Ngannou will finally make his PFL debut against Renan Ferreira. The PFL heavyweight champ knocked out Ryan Bader to claim the title and his first defense is against the lineal heavyweight champion of mixed martial arts.

Ferreira can end the fight anytime he lands like Ngannou. Despite his fighter coming off a KO loss in boxing, Eric Nicksick is confident in “The Predator” having superior boxing and grappling…

Francis Ngannou’s Coach Admits To Wresting-Heavy Game Plan Against Ferreira But Denies Knockout Threat

Nicksick recently discussed the future of many of his fighters during an interview on the MMAFightingonSBN YouTube channel. The coach was asked if fans should be worried about Ngannou’s chin deteriorating, as he’s now 38 and last suffered a crushing KO loss against Joshua.

With 4 oz gloves that are far lighter than standard boxing gloves, Ferreira certainly boasts dangerous knockout power. However, according to Nicksick, Ngannou has an equal chance to knock his opponent out and his boxing has improved drastically in the last couple of years. “The Predator” has largely worked on his movement and knows how to roll with the punches to absorb damage.

“It turns into a coin flip, right? Like these guys touch you with 4 oz gloves, somebody’s going to sleep. Now, what we do have in our favor is I think the fact that Francis has been working a lot of his boxing, a lot of his footwork, and understanding how to roll with those punches, how to tie his counters into his defense. Just the evolution of his striking to me has gotten much more crisper, much more pristine, over the last couple years and I know that we weren’t able to show that in the Anthony Joshua fight, but, leading up to that Anthony Joshua fight, I mean, he literally, I mean, the best I’ve ever seen him, you know.”

Nicksick claimed that Ngannou’s boxing was at its best ahead of the Joshua fight. He couldn’t showcase this to the world, though, because at heavyweight, every match is a coin flip thanks to the power each fighter possesses.

After praising Ngannou’s boxing prowess, Nicksick also admitted to having a grappling-heavy plan against Ferreira. He expects over 25% of the PFL main event this weekend to be on the ground, indicating Ngannou will be ready to grapple if things go south.

Continue Reading Francis Ngannou’s Coach Discards Chin-Related Concerns Against Renan Ferreira Despite Anthony Joshua KO at MMA News.

Francis Ngannou: PFL Opponent Renan Ferreira A ‘Little Less Than Me’ In All Areas

While Francis Ngannou respects the threat that upcoming PFL foe Renan Ferreira brings to the table, he doesn’t see where the Brazilian is superior. Ngannou is set to make the walk for an MMA fight for the first time since a successful UFC title defense against Ciryl Gane in January 2022. Following that, “The Predator” […]

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While Francis Ngannou respects the threat that upcoming PFL foe Renan Ferreira brings to the table, he doesn’t see where the Brazilian is superior.

Ngannou is set to make the walk for an MMA fight for the first time since a successful UFC title defense against Ciryl Gane in January 2022. Following that, “The Predator” was sidelined through injury before choosing to exit the promotion at the start of last year.

After putting pen to paper on an MMA deal with the Professional Fighters League, Ngannou used his newfound freedom to make his long-held boxing ambitions a reality.

And although consecutive bouts with Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua led many to question his future in the cage, the Cameroonian will indeed resume his MMA career on Oct. 19 in Saudi Arabia, where he’s slated to headline a PFL pay-per-view against Ferreira.

The Brazilian veteran is coming off title success in the PFL’s heavyweight season last year and a rapid knockout of Bellator kingpin Ryan Bader this past February.

Despite his opponent’s winning form, however, Ngannou sees no area of the game where he’ll be outmatched by Ferreira come fight night…

Ngannou Brands Ferreira A ‘Lesser Version’ Of Him

During a recent interview with CBS Sports’ Shakiel Mahjouri, Ngannou looked ahead to his upcoming return to MMA competition in the Middle East.

When discussing the threat posed by “Problema,” Ngannou acknowledged that his foe is solid in all areas. But in terms of where the Brazilian’s abilities could surpass his, “The Predator” sees nothing.

“I don’t know. He is very athletic. He’s very skilled, well-rounded,” Ngannou said. “But I think whatever it is, it’s a little less than me [laughs]. He is a little less version of me, I would say so.”

Ngannou will look to prove that assessment correct come fight night in Riyadh next weekend, when he dips his toes back into mixed martial arts waters for the first time in close to three years.

Continue Reading Francis Ngannou: PFL Opponent Renan Ferreira A ‘Little Less Than Me’ In All Areas 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 […]

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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.

Francis Ngannou Provides Positive Update On PFL Debut: ‘I Think It’s Going To Be Him…’

It appears that all systems are finally go for Francis Ngannou’s debut under the Professional Fighters League (PFL) banner. Ngannou, a former UFC heavyweight champion, hasn’t competed in mixed martial arts since his successful title defense against Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 in January 2022. Since then, he’s departed the UFC off the back of […]

Continue Reading Francis Ngannou Provides Positive Update On PFL Debut: ‘I Think It’s Going To Be Him…’ at MMA News.

It appears that all systems are finally go for Francis Ngannou’s debut under the Professional Fighters League (PFL) banner.

Ngannou, a former UFC heavyweight champion, hasn’t competed in mixed martial arts since his successful title defense against Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 in January 2022. Since then, he’s departed the UFC off the back of a lengthy contractual dispute and found a new home.

“The Predator” put pen to paper on an exclusive MMA deal with the PFL last May, which also sees him as the chairman of PFL Africa, set to launch in 2025. He’s yet to enter the SmartCage, however, instead using the freedom granted to him to complete a long-desired venture to the boxing ring.

And after shocking the world with his performance against then-WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, Ngannou remained in the boxing world for a blockbuster matchup with former two-time unified champ Anthony Joshua.

A brutal knockout loss to “AJ” in Saudi Arabia this past March appeared to put a stop to his charge in the ring for the time being, and it now appears that Ngannou’s sights are back on the sport in which he made his name…

Ngannou Says PFL Debut In The Works For October

During a recent appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience, Ngannou revealed that his MMA return and PFL debut is in the works over a year on from his signing.

“The Predator” confirmed that the promotion’s second pay-per-view is targeted for October 19 in Saudi Arabia, and that the current plan is for him to share the cage with 2023 PFL heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira.

“We have a good relationship. I have a fight. I will be fighting by the end of the year,” Ngannou said. “I think Renan Ferreira is the guy. I’ve been telling people about this guy for almost two years. Very athletic, fast hands, one-two…very athletic. I think it’s going to be him.

“That’s what the PFL is working on. … They’re working on October. It’s not finalized yet, but they (were) talking about October 19,” Ngannou added.

Ngannou’s remarks come as the second indication that the PFL will stage a major card in Riyadh on Oct. 19. Earlier this month, former UFC title challenger Yoel Romero claimed he’s set to challenge Corey Anderson for the Bellator light heavyweight title on that date.

While the date comes as a fresh update for “The Predator’s” MMA return, Ferreira has been lined up as the opposition ever since his standout performance in the main event of the PFL vs. Bellator PPV card this past February.

In the main event, “Problema” knockout out Bellator Heavyweight Champion Ryan Bader just 21 seconds into the very first round. He now looks in line to be rewarded for that performance with the kind of handsome payday set to come with fighting Ngannou in the PFL.

Continue Reading Francis Ngannou Provides Positive Update On PFL Debut: ‘I Think It’s Going To Be Him…’ at MMA News.

Ante Delija demolishes Renan Ferreira with first-round knockout to secure championship spot – PFL 8 Highlights

Ante DelijaAnte Delija showcased relentless pressure to dispatch of Renan Ferreira at PFL 8. Going into the bout as the runner-up of the PFL 2021 heavyweight season, Ante Delija was looking to solidify his place in the tournament finals with a win over Renan Ferreira at PFL 8: 2022 Playoffs at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff, […]

Ante Delija

Ante Delija showcased relentless pressure to dispatch of Renan Ferreira at PFL 8.

Going into the bout as the runner-up of the PFL 2021 heavyweight season, Ante Delija was looking to solidify his place in the tournament finals with a win over Renan Ferreira at PFL 8: 2022 Playoffs at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff, Wales.

Delija, the protege of the legendary MMA fighter Mirko Cro Cop, kicked things off utilizing a grappling-heavy approach. He managed to inflict a considerable amount of damage to Ferreira through ground and pound in the opening round. His aggression from the top position proved too much for Ferreira, who was unable to provide an answer for the Croations’s pressure.

Delijah scored a first-round knockout finish of Ferreira.

Below, catch the highlights from Ante Delija vs. Renan Ferreira

Fabricio Werdum’s Loss at PFL 3 Has Been Overturned

It looks like Fabricio Werdum’s appeal paid off. His loss to Renan Ferreira at PFL 3 was overturned by The New Jersey State Athletic Control Board. ESPN first reported the decision Monday afternoon that the controversial loss from the PFL 3 main event …

It looks like Fabricio Werdum’s appeal paid off. His loss to Renan Ferreira at PFL 3 was overturned by The New Jersey State Athletic Control Board. ESPN first reported the decision Monday afternoon that the controversial loss from the PFL 3 main event at the Ocean Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey was overturned. When […]