More than a year after signing with the PFL, Francis Ngannou will be entering the SmartCage. Ngannou is competing in MMA for the first time in two years, facing 2023 PFL heavyweight tournament winner Renan Ferreira.
Ngannou (17-3) defeated Stipe Miocic at UFC 260 to win the UFC heavyweight title, avenging a loss at UFC 220. Suffering from knee injuries, Ngannou still successfully defended the title against Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 in January 2022. “The Predator” left the UFC in 2023 following contract disputes, leaving the promotion as the lineal UFC heavyweight champion.
Ngannou was recruited by the PFL to develop the Super Fight PPV division. However, he entered the boxing world first, per a clause in his contract. Ngannou knocked out Tyson Fury in a losing effort and was recently knocked out by Anthony Joshua. Despite the injuries he suffered and the recent loss of his child, Ngannou told Joe Rogan that his return to MMA will happen before the end of the year.
“Renan is a great fighter, I’ve been watching him for years,” Ngannou said. “I’ve been studying him for years. I actually tell people to look at this guy. He’s pretty unique, he’s athletic, he’s fast, his size doesn’t impress me as much as his talent.”
Ferreira (13-3, 3 NC) turned pro in 2013 and has eleven wins by knockout. The Brazilian has not lost a fight for the PFL since 2022. He defeated Denis Goltsov by TKO to win the 2023 heavyweight tournament. “Problema” earned the only PFL win over a Bellator fighter in February when he took less than a minute to knock out Ryan Bader. He decided to wait for Ngannou instead of competing in the 2024 tournament.
The co-main event of the PFL Super Fight will see Cris Cyborg take on two-time PFL tournament winner Larissa Pacheco. Cyborg (27-2, 1 NC) is a former UFC, Strikeforce and Invicta FC featherweight champion and the current Bellator featherweight champion. The Jiu-Jitsu world champion and now regular boxer is on a seven-fight winning streak, with her final fight scheduled for October 2023.
Pacheco (23-4) shocked the world by defeating Kayla Harrison in the 2022 PFL lightweight tournament. She has since won four straight in dominant fashion, winning the 2023 PFL featherweight tournament in November.
Here’s what we know about Ngannou’s PFL debut, including the card, odds, rumors, latest news and more.
PFL “Battle of the Giants” Broadcast Information
- Date:Saturday October 19
- Location: The Mayadeen – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Start time: To be determined
- How to watch: ESPN+ | DAZN
- PPV Price: To be determined
- ESPN+:$10.99 for monthly subscription / annual subscription for $109.99)
- DAZN monthly subscription: $19.99 on a 12-month contract or $24.99 per month in the US/$24.99 per month in Canada/£9.99 in the UK on a 12-month contract, or £19.99 per month/AUD13.99 in Australia
- DAZN annual subscription: $224.99 in the US, $199.99 in Canada and £99.99 in the UK
PFL “Battle of the Giants” Map and Odds
- Francis Ngannou vs Renan Ferreira; Heavyweight
- Cris Cyborg vs. Larissa Pacheco; Featherweight
*Combat chances per Bet on MGM are not available at the moment
