Tag: Renan Ferreira

Francis Ngannou says Anthony Joshua fight result will determine PFL future: ‘Most likely MMA is this year’

Francis Ngannou is still mentally committed to MMA but admits his path forward hinges largely on the result of his bout vs. Anthony Joshua.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – [autotag]Francis Ngannou[/autotag] is still mentally committed to MMA but admits his path forward hinges largely on the result of Friday’s boxing match with Anthony Joshua.

Ngannou (17-3 MMA, 0-1 boxing), a former UFC heavyweight champion, will make his second venture into the boxing ring after exceeding expectations in his debut split decision loss to Tyson Fury last October. Now with more confidence and experience under his belt, “The Predator” will look to raise the bar against Joshua in their 10-round bout at Kingdom Arena (pay-per-view).

Although the boxing is likely more prosperous and lucrative for Ngannou, he has already signed a contract to compete for PFL in the future. The timeline of when that happens remains uncertain as Ngannou makes his mark in the boxing world, and he said he won’t have a full path forward until the outcome against Joshua is decided.

“Not most likely (in 2025) – it’s possible it’s this year, too,” Ngannou told MMA Junkie on Thursday. “Most likely MMA is this year, as well, because after tomorrow I will have a clear idea of the future of my MMA career.”

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If Ngannou does return to MMA under the PFL banner, the promotion has already determined 2023 PFL heavyweight champion [autotag]Renan Ferreira[/autotag] will be the opponent. Ferreira (13-3) secured the potential opportunity with a 21-second knockout of Ryan Bader at PFL vs. Bellator: Champions in February, and Ngannou was impressed with what he saw inside the cage.

“It was a crazy performance,” Ngannou said. “He was incredible. I was ringside and coming to the fight obviously I know (about him), I had Renan Ferreira in that fight for sure. But I thought like maybe Ryan Bader had an opportunity for wrestling and take him to the deep water. But when the fight started I looked at Ryan and he wasn’t there at all. Renan Ferreira was on fire. He was ready to go to war.”

For more on the fight, visit MMA Junkie’s hub forΒ Joshua vs. Ngannou.

Renan Ferreira will wait for Francis Ngannou to prove current ‘greatest’ heavyweight in MMA

PFL heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira wants to prove Francis Ngannou has “a big problem” on his hands in his return to MMA.

[autotag]Francis Ngannou[/autotag] has a tough task ahead against Anthony Joshua in the boxing ring, but [autotag]Renan Ferreira[/autotag] wants the former UFC heavyweight champion to know that “a big problem” awaits in the PFL cage too.

Ferreira (13-3) recently defeated Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader in the blink of an eye at PFL vs. Bellator: Champions in Saudi Arabia. The fight was billed as a sweepstakes of sorts, with the winner set to become the first to fight Ngannou (17-3) under the PFL banner in his expected future return to MMA.

While plans have been laid out, there is still uncertainty about how things will progress after March 8 when Ngannou faces Joshua. Much of it depends on Ngannou’s health following the fight. Beyond that, despite Ngannou assuring he will return to MMA, some believe a victory over Joshua will mark the end of his MMA career forever, while a loss would push him back to the cage.

Either way, Ferreira is willing to sit back, considering he punched his ticket to the most lucrative fight of his career with a guaranteed $2 million purse.

“I’m fine waiting,” Ferriera told MMA Junkie Radio through an interpreter. “I’m fine waiting towards the middle of the year, towards the end of 2024. It all works for me. I’m going to use this time to recover. I’ve been doing the PFL tournament for three straight years at this point, so I know my body could use the time off, as well as improving myself. I’m going to use this time to sharpen some of my tools, to learn new tricks, some new things to use when I face up against Francis.”

The rest is well deserved, too. Since 2021 when he joined the PFL, Ferreira has made 11 appearances due to the demanding schedule of the promotion’s season and playoff format. Despite the uncertainty of when the fight with Ngannou could take place, he won’t begrudge his potential foe, because what he has been able to create in his deal with the PFL that allows boxing is unique a such a high level.

“I think Francis is a pioneer when it comes to this way of doing business,” Ferreira said. “I have to give it to him. I have to applaud him for it. I am rooting for him. I just need him to know that once he comes back to MMA, he’s going to have a big problem here in me ready to face off against him.”

Ferreira has built a resume worthy of making a fight against Ngannou attractive to fight fans. Six of his seven PFL victories have come by stoppage. Stopping Bader in 21 seconds was a best-case scenario. Ferreria believes the fight with Ngannou has a much larger meaning than just a big payday. It’s a matchup that proves who is the best in the world, according to the 6-foot-8 Brazilian.

“That goes without saying,” Ferreira said. “I think fighting him, beating him, it puts me in a position to make that statement as I am the greatest heavyweight in the world currently standing.”

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Renan Ferreira def. Ryan Bader at PFL vs. Bellator: Champions: Best photos

Check out these photos from Renan Ferreira vs. Ryan Bader at PFL vs. Bellator: Champions in Saudi Arabia.

Check out these photos from [autotag]Renan Ferreira[/autotag]’s TKO victory over Ryan Bader at PFL vs. Bellator: Champions, which took place at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photos courtesy of PFL)

PFL vs. Bellator: Champions results: Renan Ferreira sparks Ryan Bader in 21 seconds, calls out Francis Ngannou

Renan Ferreira calls out Francis Ngannou after finishing Ryan Bader in just 21 seconds in the PFL vs. Bellator: Champions main event.

[autotag]Renan Ferreira[/autotag] didn’t waste time cashing in his ticket for a future big payday in a massive showdown against [autotag]Francis Ngannou[/autotag].

With just one fight left on the PFL vs. Bellator: Champions at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the PFL side needed to pick up a victory as Bellator was running a clean sweep on the tally of bragging rights between promotions.

Ferreira (13-3) provided what the PFL needed in the blink of an eye by finishing Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader in just 13 seconds in the main event.

Beyond taking home a shiny new belt with a championship ring embedded in it, the winner of the fight would lay claim to the first opponent to face Ngannou in the PFL cage.

Ferreira claimed that spot quickly, by sparking Bader (31-8) with a hard right hand in an opening exchange. Bader fell to the canvas and Ferreira capitalized by raining hammerfists until the referee rushed in.

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During his post-fight interview, Ferriera turned his attention to Ngannou, who was watching cageside. The former UFC champion will face the towering 6-foot-8 Brazilian when he returns to the MMA cage after facing Anthony Joshua in the boxing ring on March 8.

“Francis, where you at?” Ferreira said through an interpreter. “I’m waiting for you, let’s do this. I’m the champion out here!”

When Ngannou signed with PFL, part of his deal ensured his opponent would receive a minimum $2 million purse, meaning Ferreira is in for a large payday when the fight takes place in the near future.

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Up-to-the-minute results of PFL vs. Bellator: Champions include:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL vs. Bellator: Champions.

PFL vs. Bellator: Champions live and official results

Check out the full results of PFL vs. Bellator: Champions which takes place at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

PFL vs. Bellator: Champions took place Saturday and MMA Junkie provided coverage of live and official results throughout the entire card.

The event featured PFL fighters vs. Bellator fighters at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Champions of both promotions clashed in the main and co-main bouts. The main event was a heavyweight bout between PFL’s [autotag]Renan Ferreira[/autotag] and Bellator’s [autotag]Ryan Bader[/autotag]. Middleweights battled in the co-feature as PFL’s [autotag]Impa Kasanganay[/autotag] took on Bellator’s [autotag]Johnny Eblen[/autotag].

The 11-fight event featured several notable names including [autotag]Yoel Romero[/autotag], [autotag]A.J. McKee[/autotag], [autotag]Aaron Pico[/autotag], [autotag]Claressa Shields[/autotag], and the pro debut of Muhammad Ali’s grandson [autotag]Biaggio Ali Walsh[/autotag].

Check out the official results, details and highlight clips from each bout below.

Eric Nicksick: Francis Ngannou more intrigued by Renan Ferreira than Ryan Bader as PFL debut opponent

A PFL debut fight with Renan Ferreira “definitely intrigues” Francis Ngannou.

[autotag]Francis Ngannou[/autotag] apparently has a preference between [autotag]Renan Ferreira[/autotag] and Ryan Bader.

Reigning PFL champ Ferreira and Bellator champ Bader headline Saturday’sΒ PFL vs. Bellator: Champions card (ESPN+ pay-per-view) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with the two heavyweights knowing that the victor will also win the Ngannou sweepstakes and face the former UFC champ upon his return to MMA.

First, though, Ngannou has business to tend to in boxing as he prepares to fight Anthony Joshua on March 8. Ngannou reiterated Thursday that he intends on getting back in the cage – it’s just a matter of when.

When Ngannou does, there’s one name he likes over the other to serve as his opponent, according to Xtreme Couture head coach Eric Nicksick.

“I know the Ferreira guy definitely intrigues Francis more in my opinion,” Nicksick told MMA Junkie Radio. “The more I talk to Francis about the MMA side of things, when (Ferreira) fought, Francis wrote me, ‘I think this guy is good.’ I think that fight definitely intrigues him.”

Ferreira (12-3), 34, is coming off a stellar 2023 in which he went 3-0 with one no contest, en route to claiming the PFL heavyweight title. The no contest was changed from a loss to Rizvan Kuniev in the regular season opener after Kuniev tested positive for a banned substance. After that, Ferreira proceeded to finish all three of his remaining 2023 bouts, including a knockout of Denis Goltsov at the 2023 PFL Championship on Nov. 24.

Bader (31-7), 40, fought just once in 2023, defeating Fedor Emelianenko by first-round TKO last February at Bellator 290.

Despite the PFL’s announcement, it’s anyone’s guess as toΒ whenΒ Ngannou would fight the Ferreira-Bader winner. That’s because what happens in the Joshua fight will greatly affect Ngannou’s next step.

“I think it’s gonna depend on what’s gonna happen in this Joshua fight. I really do,” Nicksick said. “I think if he goes out and performs well or knocks this dude out, I think it puts him in a position to be fighting for the world title. I think it really hinders on what happens March 8 on what goes on from that point, whether we’ll be back to MMA or he’s fighting for the belt (in boxing).”

It’s been more than two years since Ngannou last fought in MMA, when he defeated Ciryl Gane in his final UFC fight in January 2022. Even though it’s been so long and with boxing receiving most Ngannou’s attention, Nicksick isn’t worried about his fighter being properly prepared for MMA when the time comes.

“The guy wants to win at everything that he does,” Nicksick said. “He doesn’t cut any corners. I think that’s the most important thing. When he’s doing something, he’s doing it at 110 percent. … Once he gets back over to MMA, I know nothing’s gonna change with that mentality that he has.”

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PFL announces Francis Ngannou will fight Renan Ferreira vs. Ryan Bader winner; no timeline given

The stakes in the champion-vs.-champion showdown between Renan Ferreira and Ryan Bader just got a whole lot bigger.

(Editor’s note: Story updated after PFL’s announcement following Ngannou’s interview on ESPN.)

The stakes in the champion-vs.-champion showdown between [autotag]Ryan Bader[/autotag] and [autotag]Renan Ferreira[/autotag] just got a whole lot bigger after the PFL announced on Thursday that the winner will take on former UFC heavyweight champ [autotag]Francis Ngnnou[/autotag] when he returns to MMA.

“The PFL is excited to announce Francis Ngannou’s return to MMA in the PFL PPV division will be against the winner of the PFL Champion vs. Bellator Champion heavyweight superfight between Renan Ferreira and Ryan Bader,” PFL CEO Peter Murray said in a statement. “Francis is a true combat sports icon with a global fan base and appeal. We, along with the rest of the MMA world, will be watching to see who his first opponent will be, Ferreira or Bader.”

Reigning PFL champ Ferreira and Bellator champ Bader headline Saturday’s PFL vs. Bellator: Champions card (ESPN+ pay-per-view) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and now the two big men know what’s on the line aside from bragging rights.

The announcement came about an hour after Ngannou appeared on ESPN’s “SportsCenter.” Ngannou, who’s preparing for a March 8 boxing match with Anthony Joshua, said he considered the Ferreira-Bader winner his “potential opponent” when he returns to the cage.

“(That’s) my potential opponent, because I think the winner of this is going to be the guy I fight in my MMA return when I return,” Ngannou said. “… First of all, both are champions. They’re going to be champ-champ. So I think there wasn’t a better way to find an opponent for me, since I’m a champion myself, just in case you have forgotten.”

The PFL’s announcement did not include a date or even a timeline for Ngannou’s return as a win over Joshua figures to open a whole new set of lucrative opportunities in boxing, including an immediate title fight or a rematch with Tyson Fury. That scenario could delay Ngannou’s PFL debut indefinitely, although Ngannou indicated he does intend to still compete in MMA.

“It’s my intention to return to (MMA). When exactly, I think all depends on March 8. Everything depends on March 8,” Ngannou said. “… I haven’t finished my MMA career. I just wanted to chase my dream in boxing. Obviously, I can enjoy both and combine whenever the opportunity is there. I’m not done with MMA. I have an intention to come back and fight and put on some shows.

“… That doesn’t change anything. I think on March 8, whatever happens, the fight is happening. … I take out Anthony Joshua on March 8. Then, I have an opportunity for the undisputed right away to fight. I think it’s a great opportunity not to miss out.”

Ngannou, 37, made his boxing debut in October against Fury, whom he dropped and nearly defeated in a close split decision loss. The fight was his first combat sports competition since he departed the UFC as the promotion’s heavyweight champion in early 2023. Ngannou hasn’t competed in MMA since January 2022.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL vs. Bellator: Champions.

Special PFL vs. Bellator: Champions belt designs revealed

The winners of the PFL vs. Bellator champion vs. champion fights will walk home with an extra piece of hardware.

While the PFL and Bellator titles won’t be on the line Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the winner of each champion vs. champion matchup will go home with special hardware.

Monday, the promotion released a first look at the special PFL vs. Bellator: Champions title belts that the winners of the head-to-head champions fights will be awarded with.

Those eligible for this special title belt are the main event and co-main event competitors. The headlining bout features 2023 PFL heavyweight champion [autotag]Renan Ferreira[/autotag] (12-3) against Bellator heavyweight champion [autotag]Ryan Bader[/autotag] (31-7). The co-feature is a fight between PFL light heavyweight champion [autotag]Impa Kasanganay[/autotag] (15-3) and Bellator middleweight champion [autotag]Johnny Eblen[/autotag] (14-0).

Check out the title belt revelation in the video below:

https://www.instagram.com/p/C3ioDO_vkRj/?img_index=1

MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view, 3 p.m. ET)

  • Renan Ferreira vs. Ryan Bader
  • Impa Kasanganay vs. Johnny Eblen
  • Ray Cooper III vs. Jason Jackson
  • Bruno Cappelozza vs. Vadim Nemkov
  • Thiago Santos vs. Yoel Romero
  • Clay Collard vs. A.J. McKee

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 12:30 p.m. ET)

  • Gabriel Braga vs. Aaron Pico
  • Biaggio Ali Walsh vs. Emmanuel Palacio
  • Claressa Shields vs. Kelsey De Santis
  • Abdullah Al-Qahtani vs. Edukondala Rao

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL vs. Bellator: Champions.

Renan Ferreira, Ryan Bader expect winner of PFL vs. Bellator champs fight to face Francis Ngannou

Renan Ferreira and Ryan Bader think they are fighting for the chance to welcome Francis Ngannou back to MMA at PFL vs. Bellator: Champions.

The stakes going into the PFL vs. Bellator: Champions main event between [autotag]Renan Ferreira[/autotag] and [autotag]Ryan Bader[/autotag] are about as big as it gets.

Not only do Ferreira (12-3) and Bader (31-7) get the opportunity to headline the inaugural event of the new era since PFL acquired the Bellator brand, but the Feb. 24 card at Kingdom Arena marks the first for the promotion in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Moreover, the biggest perk of all is that the winner could get a matchup with [autotag]Francis Ngannou[/autotag].

Despite Ngannou (17-3) shining in the boxing world since his UFC departure, the former UFC heavyweight claims he will be returning to MMA competition in the future after his March 8 bout with Anthony Joshua. He signed with PFL to compete in MMA, and both Ferreira and Bader the winner between them will get awarded that fight.

“One hundred percent (I want to fight Ngannou),” Bader said at a Wednesday press conference in Hollywood, Fla. “That’s one of the fights – he’s got his boxing fight coming up, but I think it’s perfect timing. We get this done and the winner gets that opportunity. Francis is coming over, a former UFC champion, he just had an amazing fight with Tyson Fury and put everybody on notice. So to have the ability to go out there and prove to everybody, to go out there and get that win, that’s huge. I’m not looking past Renan, but get that done, 100 percent.”

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Ferreira echoed Bader’s sentiments.

“If everything goes as planned, yeah,” Ferreira said through an interpreter. “After Feb. 24, Francis is the name. And that being said, I’ll be able to go however he wants to do it. If he wants to do it in MMA, in boxing, we’ll be ready.”

For now, both athletes are focused on each other. The potential $2 million minimum payday said to be promised to the opponent for Ngannou in PFL is a big motivator, but an experienced veteran like Bader has seen and done it all at the highest level under the UFC and Bellator banners.

Bader said he won’t make the mistake of overlooking Ferreira, who at 6-foot-8, is nothing short of a powerhouse finisher. Ferreira doesn’t have the same level of resume as Bader, but he’s keen for the opportunities that could be ahead of him.

“I think he’s a great athlete,” Ferreira said. “His wrestling credentials speak for themselves. He mixes it quite well with his striking, too. I’ve said it before and I will say it again: It’s a great honour to face off with him.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL vs. Bellator: Champions.

Video: PFL vs. Bellator press conference faceoffs

Check out the faceoffs from the first press conference ahead of the inaugural PFL vs. Bellator event in South Florida.

The first PFL vs. Bellator press conference took place Wednesday, and afterward the fighters in attendance came face to face for the first time.

The first PFL vs. Bellator event since the acquisition takes place Feb. 24 at Boulevard Hall in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with a main card that streams on ESPN+ and DAZN pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN+ and ESPNews. The entire card pits PFL fighters vs. Bellator fighters and is chalk full of current and former champions from each promotion.

In the main event, reigning PFL heavyweight champ [autotag]Renan Ferreira[/autotag] takes on Bellator heavyweight champ [autotag]Ryan Bader[/autotag]. The co-main event pits PFL light heavyweight champ [autotag]Impa Kasanganay[/autotag] moving back down to middleweight to face Bellator 185-pound champ [autotag]Johnny Eblen[/autotag]. A showdown between current featherweight champions, [autotag]Jesus Pinedo[/autotag] from the PFL and [autotag]Patricio Freire[/autotag] of Bellator, is also on tap.

In addition to the fights between current champions, a host of matchups between former champs and title challengers are also slated.

You can watch all of the faceoffs from the first PFL vs. Bellator press conference at the Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood, Fla., in the video above.

Below is the complete PFL vs. Bellator lineup:

MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view, 3 p.m. ET)

  • Renan Ferreira vs. Ryan Bader
  • Impa Kasanganay vs. Johnny Eblen
  • Ray Cooper III vs. Jason Jackson
  • Jesus Pinedo vs. Patricio Freire
  • Bruno Cappelozza vs. Vadim Nemkov
  • Thiago Santos vs. Yoel Romero
  • Clay Collard vs. A.J. McKee

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, ESPNews, 12:30 p.m. ET)

  • Gabriel Braga vs. Aaron Pico
  • Biaggio Ali Walsh vs. Chris Morris
  • Claressa Shields vs. Kelsey De Santis
  • Abdullah Al-Qahtani vs. Edukondal Rao
  • Malik Basahel vs. Vinicius Pereira

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL vs. Bellator.