PFL video: Francis Ngannou, Renan Ferreira get physical at faceoff regulated by Jake Paul

Francis Ngannou got a first look at PFL debut opponent Renan Ferreira at Thursday’s faceoff, which was regulated by Jake Paul.

[autotag]Francis Ngannou[/autotag] got a first look at the man he will be sharing the cage with in his first MMA fight since January 2022 at Thursday’s press conference.

Ngannou (17-3), a former UFC heavyweight champion, is set to clash with 2023 PFL heavyweight champion [autotag]Renan Ferreira[/autotag] (13-3) in the main event of the promotion’s Oct. 19 pay-per-view card at Mayadeen Venue in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

After signing with PFL for MMA fights following his well-documented departure from the UFC, Ngannou took a pair of boxing matches against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, neither of which went he way. He now returns to the sport where he made his name, and takes on a fellow knockout artist in the 6-foot-8 Ferreira.

At the conclusion of answering questions at the press conference in Washington, D.C., which was hosted by Jake Paul, the pair engaged in their first pre-fight staredown. It was intense, with Ngannou grabbing Ferreira’s arms and the Brazilian pounding the chest of the former UFC champ.

Check out the video above to see the first Ngannou vs. Ferreira faceoff ahead of their clash at “Battle of the Giants.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL: Battle of the Giants.

Video: Watch PFL ‘Battle of the Giants’ Press Conference live (1 p.m. ET)

Watch Thursday’s PFL press conference featuring Francis Ngannou, Renan Ferreira and Jake Paul.

The first press conference for [autotag]Francis Ngannou[/autotag]’s anticipated return to MMA against [autotag]Renan Ferreira[/autotag] takes place Thursday at 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. PT), and you can watch it live right here on MMA Junkie.

PFL Battle of the Giants takes place Saturday, Oct. 19, and features Ngannou vs. Ferreira fighting for the PFL Super Fights championship in the main event, which broadcasts on ESPN+ and DAZN pay-per-view.

Expected to participate in Thursday’s press conference at The Anthem in Washington are former UFC heavyweight champion Ngannou, PFL Super Fights heavyweight champion Ferreira, and YouTuber-turned-boxer and PFL Super Fight athlete [autotag]Jake Paul[/autotag].

You can watch the press conference in the video above.

[lawrence-related id=2762387,2032348,2718195]

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL: Battle of the Giants.