PFL: Battle of the Giants took place Saturday, and MMA Junkie provided live round-by-round updates throughout the event. PFL: Battle of the Giants (ESPN+) took place at The Mayadeen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou (18-3) returned to MMA for the first time since January 2022 to take on PFL champ Renan Ferreira (12-4) for the promotion’s heavyweight superfight title. In the co-feature, Bellator women’s featherweight champ Cris Cyborg (28-2) took on PFL champ Larissa Pacheco (23-5) for that division’s superfight belt. And in a third title fight, Bellator middleweight titleholder Johnny Eblen (16-0) met Fabian Edwards (13-4) in a rematch.
Check out our round-by-round updates and official results below.
Enjoy the fights, everyone.
PFL: Battle of the Giants lineup
MAIN CARD (DAZN pay-per-view, 4 p.m. ET)
- Francis Ngannou def. Renan Ferreira via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 3:32 – for heavyweight superfights title
- Cris Cyborg def. Larissa Pacheco via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46) – for women’s featherweight superfights title
- Johnny Eblen def. Fabian Edwards via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47) – for Bellator middleweight title
- Zafar Mohsen def. Husein Kadimagomaev via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Paul Hughes def. A.J. McKee via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 1:30 p.m. ET)
- Raufeon Stots def. Marcos Breno via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 3:01
- Makkasharip Zaynukov def. Dedrek Sanders via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
- Ibragim Ibragimov def. Nacho Campos via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Taha Bendaoud def. Tariq Ismail via submission (triangle choke) – Round 2, 3:51
Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira
Round 1 – Ngannou opens the fight with a hard leg kick. Ferreira responds with one of his own. Ferreira controls from the center as they study the range. Big swings and misses from both. Ferreira lands a hard leg kick as Ngannou charges forward with a punch. Ngannou shoots in and gets a big takedown, taking top position in full guard. Ferreira throws up a triangle choke, but Ngannou calmly shakes it off. Two minutes to go now. Ngannou postures up and starts raining down hard punches from the top. Ferreira turns and gives up his back, and Ngannou unloads bombs until Ferreira goes out! Wow!
Result: Francis Ngannou def. Renan Ferreira via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 3:32
Recap: PFL: Battle of the Giants results: Francis Ngannou pounds Renan Ferreira into unconsciousness
Photos: Francis Ngannou def. Renan Ferreira at PFL: Battle of the Giants: Best photos
Records: Ngannou (18-3), Ferreira (13-4)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view (DAZN)
Referee: Dan Miragliotta
Cris Cyborg vs. Larissa Pacheco
Round 1 – Cyborg lands a stiff left as Pacheco offers a punch. Both swing again at the same time, but it’s Cyborg who grabs hold of a clinch. Cyborg knees to the thighs, and offers a hook on the exit. Cyborg gets a big slam into side control. Von Flue choke potential is there, but Pacheco gets her arm free.Pacheco scrambles to her feet. Cyborg lands a big head kick! Pacheco eats it and fires off punches. Woah. Cyborg clinches up again. Knees to the body from Cyborg. A short elbow sneaks in too. They separate, and Cyborg lands a quick pair of punches. Cyborg changes levels again for another big takedown, but Pacheco puts her in danger with a guillotine choke. Pacheco holds the attempt for a little bit, but Cyborg pops her head out and punches from the top as blood has covered them both now.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Cyborg.
Round 2 – Cuts are apparent over both of Cyborg’s eyes. Pacheco comes forward and Cyborg looks for a head kick. Cyborg misses with a punch. Pacheco comes in with a quick combo. An inside leg kick from Cyborg takes Pacheco off balance. Cyborg clinches, pushing Pacheco into the cage. Cyborg lands a nice backfist on the exit. Pacheco comes forward but leaves herself open for Cyborg to change levels for another takedown. Cyborg secures top half and works some ground and pound. Cyborg stands up, and the fight resumes on the feet. Pacheco lands a clean punch in the closing seconds.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 Cyborg.
Round 3 – They exchange leg kicks to start, and hard punches upstairs soon follow. An awkward moment takes place as Pacheco backs away, but then waves Cyborg to meet her on her half of the cage. Cyborg just says in place and they both kind of stare at each other for a moment. Awkward. The ref calls for action and they get back into striking range. Pacheco lands a sharp 1-2. She then catches a kick and floors Cyborg with a powerful right hand. Pacheco takes top position on the ground, focusing on control while adding a few punches and elbows.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Pacheco.
Round 4 – Cyborg kicks to the body. Pacheco responds with a hard outside leg kick. Pacheco looks for a knee, but gets countered with a combo. Cyborg tries to catch a kick and counter, but Pacheco lands a punch as well. Cyborg offers a front kick to the body and Pacheco counters nicely. Cyborg kicks to the body again and eats another right hand. Cyborg lands a big overhand right, and follows up with a flurry. Pacheco covers up and circles away. Pacheco catches a right kick and fires a stiff right hand counter. Cyborg charges ahead with a couple of punches. A takedown attempt is stuffed, and Pacheco lands a few before the bell.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Pacheco.
Round 5 – Cyborg comes out with a leg kick and a left jab. A left hook then finds the mark as Pacheco offers a low kick. Both swing with huge overhand rights at the exact same time, just missing each other. Pacheco lands a low kick. Pacheco lands a right hand, prompting Cyborg to blitz forward with strikes. Pacheco drops to the ground, and Cyborg looks to capitalize from the top, but Pacheco gets up quickly. A moment later, Pacheco lands a right hand. Cyborg responds with an overhand. One minute to go. Another overhand for Cyborg, followed by a jab. Cyborg charges in with a takedown. She opts to stand and let Pacheco up. Short time remaining and they exchange hooks before the final bell.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Cyborg, giving her the fight 48-47.
Result: Cris Cyborg def. Larissa Pacheco via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)
Recap: PFL: Battle of the Giants results: Cris Cyborg damaged, but victorious vs. Larissa Pacheco
Photos: Cris Cyborg def. Larissa Pacheco at PFL: Battle of the Giants: Best photos
Records: Cyborg (28-2), Pacheco (23-5)
Division: Women’s featherweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view (DAZN)
Referee: Bryan Miner
Judging: Mark Collett, Hadi Ali, Sal D’Amato
Johnny Eblen vs. Fabian Edwards
Round 1 – They come out exchanging early leg kicks. Eblen goes for a head kick followed by a right hand. They trade low kicks again. Edwards counters with a nice right uppercut as Eblen offers punches. Edwards looks for a left kick, but gets countered with a hard right hand by Eblen. A moment later, Eblen sends Edwards stumbling back into the fence with a right hand. Eblen closes in, clinching against the cage. They return to the center. Eblen shoots in for a strong takedown, but Edwards pops up. Eblen keeps with the clinch, and slams Edwards back down. Once again, Edwards gets right back to his feet as Eblen keeps the back control. Eblen adds a couple of short elbows before the bell.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Eblen.
Round 2 – Edwards slaps with a few leg kicks to start the round. Another kick catches Eblen off balance as he charged ahead with a punch. Edwards lands a sharp left counter. Eblen changes levels, wrestling for a takedown against the fence, eventually getting the fight to the canvas. Edwards works toward the fence to get to his feet, but can’t shake Eblen’s grip. They separate with just a few seconds remaining, and exchange a few punches before the rounds ends.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Eblen.
Round 3 – Exchange of leg kicks to start, followed by single punch offerings from both. Both miss with punching combinations as they remain in the center of the cage looking to trade. Edwards lands a couple of front kicks to the body. Midway through the round now, Eblen charges ahead behind a right hand, straight into a single-leg takedown. Edwards gives up back control as he tries to rise to his feet. He gets free with just over a minute to go, and gets back to offering front kicks to the body. Edwards leaps with a flying knee to the body. Eblen closes in to wrestle until the end of the round.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Edwards.
Round 4 – Edwards comes out firing strikes from the center of the cage. Eblen offers a wheel kick that catches nothing but air. Edwards keeps his activity high with quick punches and kicks. Eblen shoots in and gets the fight to the mat for an easy takedown. Eblen lifts and dumps Edwards for a pair of mat returns. Edwards works up to his feet, just to get returned once again. Edwards gets up again, and this time they separate and trade punches.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Eblen.
Round 5 – With just five minutes left, Edwards comes out firing a combination. He accidentally pokes Eblen in the eye, pausing the fight. After a short pause, Edwards gets back to pressuring forward with strikes. A front kick from Edwards lands low, causing another halt to the action. The fight resumes quickly. Edwards remains heavy with forward pressure behind front kicks and punches. A nice counter left lands clean for Edwards. Eblen changes levels but is brushed away. Another nice front kick from Edwards. More clean punches now. Eblen shoots in again, but can’t get it. Edwards unloads another nice combination, and the crowd is waking up. Edwards lands a left and a few short elbows in close. More elbows connect from Edwards. Eblen closes in to clinch, and lands an elbow on the exit. Edwards steps in with a knee as the action heats up entering the last minute. Edwards with a solid knee to the body. Edwards is pouring it on as much as possible. Eblen gets a clinch to slow things until the fight ends.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Edwards, but the fight goes to Eblen, 48-47.
Result: Johnny Eblen def. Fabian Edwards via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47)
Recap: PFL: Battle of the Giants results: Johnny Eblen suffocates Fabian Edwards to retain title in rematch
Photos: Johnny Eblen def. Fabian Edwards at PFL: Battle of the Giants: Best photos
Records: Eblen (16-0), Edwards (13-4)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view (DAZN)
Referee: Mike Beltran
Judging: Bryan Miner, Hadi Ali, Eric Colon
Husein Kadimagomaev vs. Zafar Mohsen
Round 1 – Calculated start here as both fighters feel out the range with a few single strikes. Kadimagomaev shoots in for a takedown, driving Mohsen into the fence. Mohsen gets up and away without much issue. He then comes forward with punches, but Kadimagomaev changes levels for a single leg attempt, resulting in a battle against the fence. Mohsen counters with a nice toss, but Kadimagomaev is up immediately, and right back into the clinch. They separate and start trading leg kicks. Mohsen pressures forward from the center with strikes, including a spinning backfist.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Mohsen.
Round 2 – Kadimagomaev comes forward as Mohsen looks to counter on the outside. They switch positions and Mohsen digs in a body kick. Mohsen sits on a nice left hand. Kadimagomaev leaps with a knee into a single leg, but gets stuffed by Mohsen. Kadimagomaev keeps with the takedown attempt as they rise into the fence. Mohsen stays heavy from a favorable position and hits another nice judo toss, landing in full guard. They return to the feet, working in a clinch battle against the cage until the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Mohsen.
Round 3 – Five minutes to go here and Kadimagomaev gets back to work looking for a takedown. Mohsen continues to show excellent takedown defense as he keeps the fight upright along the cage. The fight stalls out here, prompting the referee to separate the fighters. Mohsen looks for a big head kick that just misses the mark. Kadimagomaev appears very fatigued as Mohsen lands a hard leg kick followed by a clean right hand. Kadimagomaev shoots in again, but is easily stuffed, and ends up in top half guard. Mohsen adds punches and a few short elbows from the top to close out the fight.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Mohsen, giving him the fight 30-27.
Result: Zafar Mohsen def. Husein Kadimagomaev via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Photos: PFL: Battle of the Giants: Best photos from Riyadh
Records: Kadimagomaev (11-2), Mohsen (14-4)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view (DAZN)
Referee: Mike Beltran
Judging: Eric Colon, Bryan Miner, Sal D’Amato
A.J. McKee vs. Paul Hughes
Round 1 – McKee darts forward with a kick to the body, nearly caught by Hughes. McKee fires off a fast punching combination. McKee steps in with another punch, catching Hughes clean with another as he circles away. McKee closes in and unloads a series of punches. Hughes circles out, but jumps back into the fire with a knee as McKee changes levels. McKee has a the body lock now, looking for a takedown. Hughes escapes and lands a punch on the exit. McKee eats another knee as he changes levels again. McKee tries to kick out the leg for the takedown, but Hughes is wise to it and punches down to McKee, who stays on the canvas. Hughes punches from the up-down position, carefully avoiding upkicks from McKee. Hughes sprawls as McKee attempts to grab a single leg. They’re back to the feet in the finals seconds. McKee kicks to the body, but Hughes responds with a huge knee and a big right hook! Huge end to the round for Hughes.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Hughes.
Round 2 – Hughes kicks to the head, but it’s blocked. McKee offers a high front kick and then a spinning back kick to the body. Hughes kicks to the shin. The action stalls for a moment as Hughes stalks forward. McKee lands an outside leg kick. Hughes clinches up. McKee digs in a nice knee to the body. They separate, and McKee fires off a few punches. Hughes kicks t other lead leg before charging forward with hooks. McKee lands a side kick, but it’s to Hughes’ junk, pausing the fight. After the restart, Hughes lands a strong left hook followed by a flurry of strikes. McKee is able to get a hold of Hughes to work for a takedown. He gets Hughes down to a knee, and lands a couple of knees to the body before the bell.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Hughes.
Round 3 – McKee offers a spinning kick to the body and a few punches before shooting for the takedown. McKee ends up on the bottom of another up-down position, but quickly gets back to his feet. McKee lands a right and shoots in again. McKee slides out a leg, getting Hughes down to a knee. Hughes gets up, with Mckee still attached. Hughes shakes free, and unloads a nice combination. Hughes continues to land punches as he comes forward. McKee appears fatigued. Hughes keeps coming. McKee changes levels, but is sprawled nicely. One minute remaining. McKee works his way into another takedown attempt, but finds himself sprawled again.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Hughes, giving him the fight 30-27.
Result: Paul Hughes def. A.J. McKee via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Recap: PFL: Battle of the Giants results: Paul Hughes edges out A.J. McKee, calls out Usman Nurmagomedov
Photos: Paul Hughes def. A.J. McKee at PFL: Battle of the Giants: Best photos
Records: McKee (22-2), Hughes (13-1)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: Pay-per-view (DAZN)
Referee: Dan Miragliotta
Judging: Hadi Ali (29-28), Mark Collett (28-29), Sal D’Amato (29-28)
Marcos Breno vs. Raufeon Stots
Round 1 – They touch ’em up and start playing the hand range game. Stots stings with a hard inside kick. Breno responds with punches and starts marching forward with combinations. A right hand cracks Stots. Breno keeps the pressure high. Stots looks for a takedown to slow things. Breno isn’t having it and gets back to firing accurate strikes. Another fast, hard 1-2 buckles Stots. Another takedown is denied by Breno. Stots peppers out the right jab, but Breno answers with another combination. Stots digs in with a hard body kick. He then gets a single leg takedown, but Breno keeps the whizzer to get back up. Stots keeps the clinch along the cage. Stots gets him down, and controls from the top until the round ends.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Breno.
Round 2 – Stots comes out working behind a right jab. A hard kick to the body gets in for Stots. Breno fires off a series of punches, mostly blocked by Stots. A solid right hand lands for Stots, and he shoots in immediately after. Stots gets Breno down to a knee with back control. Stots gets Breno to the mat and looks for a crucifix from side control. Stots looks for an arm triangle, but Breno recovers full guard. Stots gets in a couple of short punches before the bell.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Stots.
Round 3 – Stots works behind the right jab again to start the round as they exchange strikes. Stots gets the better of these exchanges with sharp counters. Breno decides to change levels and gets a takedown. Stots grabs an arm-in guillotine and squeezes, but it’s not very tight. A moment later, Stots hits a beautiful sweep to take top position. Breno gives up his back as he tries to scramble to his feet and Stots slaps on a rear-naked choke. It’s tight! Breno taps! What a finish for Stots!
Result: Raufeon Stots def. Marcos Breno via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 3:01
Photos: PFL: Battle of the Giants: Best photos from Riyadh
Records: Breno (15-4), Stots (21-2)
Division: Bantamweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mike Beltran
Dedrek Sanders vs. Makkasharip Zaynukov
Round 1 – Cautious start here as they feel out the range. Zaynukov fires off an inside leg kick. Zaynukov goes to the body with another. Sanders looks to answer with punches, but Zaynukov connects with a right. Zaynukov cracks Sanders with a big punch, nearly buckling him. Sanders drills a hard body kick. Zaynukov clinches after missing with a pair of punches. Zaynukov drags Sanders to the ground, but can’t keep him there. Zaynukov gets the clinch trip a moment later, though. One minute to go. Sanders nearly gets back to his feet, but Zaynukov adjusts and controls until the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Zaynukov.
Round 2 – Another calculated start to the round. Sanders connects with a punching combo. Zaynukov circles on the outside, and now he offers a pair of punches. A head kick right behind them. Sanders turns up the pressure a bit, looking for another combo. Sanders kicks but it’s caught, and Zaynukov gets a takedown in the center. Sanders patiently works toward the fence and gets to his feet, but is quickly returned to the mat. Sanders gets to his feet again, but this time Zaynukov lifts and slams him to the ground. Zaynukov keeps back control until the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Zaynukov.
Round 3 – Patient striking exchanges begin the final round. Zaynukov shoots in and completes another takedown, quickly transitioning to full mount close to the fence. Sanders scrambles his way out of the position, but Zaynukov takes the back. Sanders attempts to escape that too, but ends up mounted again. Zaynukov adds some short elbows for ground and pound. Now punches and hammerfists. The referee steps closer and calls for Sanders to defend himself as Zaynukov keeps pounding. A stoppage appeared near, but there’s the horn anyway.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-8 for Zaynukov, giving him the fight 30-26.
Result: Makkasharip Zaynukov def. Dedrek Sanders via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
Photos: PFL: Battle of the Giants: Best photos from Riyadh
Records: Sanders (9-5), Zaynukov (16-4)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Mike Beltran
Judging: Eric Colon, Mark Collett, Hadi Ali
Nacho Campos vs. Ibragim Ibragimov
Round 1 – Ibragimov opens up with a hard inside leg kick. A high kick soon follows, and Ibragimov shoots in for a takedown. Campos defends against the cage. Ibragimov adjusts and gets the trip, landing in guard. Campos gets back to his feet, but Ibragimov is still firmly attached with back control. Campos grabs the cage, prompting a verbal warning. Ibragimov gets him back to the mat and locks in a body triangle. Campos grabs a toe, prompting another warning from the ref. Ibragimov adds a couple of punches and an elbow before the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Ibragimov.
Round 2 – Ibragimov immediately shoots in and gets the fight to the ground. Campos nearly gets a reversal, but Ibragimov prevents it and maintains the top position. Campos works up to his feet, nearly giving up his back. Ibragimov drags Campos to the mat again, wrapping up his legs from the top. Campos gets his back to the cage as Ibragimov punches to the body. Campos nearly gets up again, but Ibragimov wrestles him back down. Campos gets up after the 10-second marker and lands a couple of short elbows in the clinch.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Ibragimov.
Round 3 – Campos looks to find a home for punches, and Ibragimov obliges to exchange. It’s short-lived, though, as Ibragimov shoots in and we’re back to him controlling Campos on the canvas. Campos stands and attempts to work free, but is unable to. Ibragimov drags him to the ground and locks in a body triangle from the back. Ibragimov punches while Campos tries to punch over the back of his head. The position doesn’t change until the final horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Ibragimov, giving him the fight 30-27.
Result: Ibragim Ibragimov def. Nacho Campos via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Photos: PFL: Battle of the Giants: Best photos from Riyadh
Records: Campos (5-1), Ibragimov (8-0)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Dan Miragliotta
Judging: Sal D’Amato, Mark Collett, Hadi Ali
Taha Bendaoud vs. Tariq Ismail
Round 1 – Ismail starts the action with a leg kick and pushes forward into a bodylock takedown. Bendaoud gets mission control and looks for an omoplata, but Ismail slips out. Now in side control, Ismail nearly secures a crucifix position. Bendaoud throws up an inverted triangle, and gets it locked down, but Ismail gets out without much issue. The position battle continues on the mat with Ismail trying to maintain top control. Ismail lands a couple of short strikes before settling in side control until the horn.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Ismail.
Round 2 – They exchange a few leg kicks to start, but Ismail closes in for another body lock, lifts, and slams Bendaoud to the canvas. Ismail lands in side control and nearly gets the crucifix again as he works ground and pound offense. The referee calls for Bendaoud to respond, and he does his best to get control of Ismail, who gets into full mount to rain down more punches. Bendaoud manages to attack an ankle, but Ismail slips away and gets back to pounding away from the top. Out of nowhere, Bendaoud throws up a triangle and it’s tight. Woah. It’s really tight! Ismail is in trouble! He taps! Unbelievable comeback!
Result: Taha Bendaoud def. Tariq Ismail via submission (triangle choke) – Round 2, 3:51
Photos: PFL: Battle of the Giants: Best photos from Riyadh
Records: Bendaoud (4-0), Ismail (8-2)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Bryan Miner
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL: Battle of the Giants.
