Francis Ngannou, former UFC heavyweight champion returned to action following the heartbreaking loss of his 15-month-old son and violently dispatched of Renan Ferreira in the main event Saturday of PFL: Battle of the Giants in Saudi Arabia.
Fighting in MMA for the first time since January 2022, Ngannou smashed through 2023 PFL heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira on Saturday, earning a first-round knockout in the main event.
Though, it was an emotional win for Ngannou, after suffering a brutal knockout loss to Anthony Joshua. But Saturday proved to be his return to the top of the sport he dominated for many years.
After trading early leg kicks, Ngannou scored a takedown, fended off a triangle attempt, then unloaded with a barrage of unanswered punches from top control, forcing referee Dan Miragliotta to step in and save an unconscious Ferreira at the 3:32 mark of Round 1.
“I can’t just think about anything than my son Kobe, I only took this fight because of him,” Ngannou said post-fight through tears.
“I knew I didn’t miss a step [in MMA]. I wasn’t worried about it, because as soon as I walked in the gym for MMA, I knew that everything was still there. It was just about me being able to manage my emotions.”
Moreover, Ngannou’s loss to Anthony Joshua was a definitive statement that he is a long way from competing with the elite in boxing. The Fury performance was impressive but he isn’t exactly known for his consistency.
However, this victory showed that Ngannou is still capable of putting on elite performances against top heavyweights. Ferreira hasn’t won in the UFC, but he did win the PFL’s heavyweight tournament and knocked out Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader.
The question will quickly shift to whether PFL can find another challenge for Ngannou that will bring attention to the promotion.
