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Volk is hungry
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Professional Fighters League’s (PFL) “Battle of the Giants” massive pay-per-view (PPV) event goes down later TODAY (Sat., Oct. 19, 2024) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on ESPN+ pay-per-view (PPV), featuring a Heavyweight title fight between Francis Ngannou and Renan Ferreira for the “Super Fight” championship belt. In the co-main event, Cris Cyborg faces Larissa Pacheco, also for the “Super Fight” title, while Johnny Eblen rematches Fabian Edwards for the Middleweight strap.

Many readers check in before, during and after the fights to share their thoughts on all of the action, which will begin at 1:30 p.m. ET with the early “Prelims,” and then transition to the main card at 4 p.m. ET. Feel free to leave a comment (or several) about the bouts and chat with all the other Maniacs during the show — it’s always a lot of fun!

265 lbs.: Francis Ngannou vs. Champion Renan Ferreira
145 lbs.: Cris “Cyborg” vs. Larissa Pacheco
185 lbs.: Champion Johnny Eblen vs. Fabian Edwards
145 lbs.: Husein Kadimagomaev vs Zafar Mohsen
155 lbs.: AJ McKee vs. Paul Hughes
135 lbs.: Raufeon Stots vs Marcos Breno
155 lbs.: Makkasharip Zaynukov vs Dedrek Sanders – Zaynukov via unanimous decision
145 lbs.: Ibragim Ibragimov vs Nacho Campos – Ibragimov via unanimous decision
145 lbs.: Youssef Al Housani vs Taha Bendaoud – Bendaoud via second-round submission (triangle choke)

Highlights:

For all the latest “Battle of the Giants” news and notes click here.

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MMA: Mixed Martial Arts

Renan Ferreira and Francis Ngannou are two of the most ferocious knockout artists in the heavyweight division today, but they know MMA isn’t only about face punching.

The former PFL and UFC champions will headline Saturday’s PFL Battle of the Giants in Saudi Arabia for the Superfight championship, and the Brazilian admits he won’t stay in the pocket and trade with Ngannou wildly if he sees a different path for victory once they are inside the cage.

“The important thing for us is the win,” Ferreira said in an interview with MMA Fighting. “It’s a big show and a big event, of course, a big promotion, but this is my career and my fight, and I’m going after a victory. I’ll do whatever it takes to come out with the win, and I know he’ll do the same thing. I’ll always go for the win wherever the fight goes, always bringing my best, where I feel the most comfortable at.”

Ngannou has also shown a different side of his fighting abilities in the past, wrestling his way to the victory on his final UFC appearance in January of 2022 to defeat Cyril Gane via unanimous decision.

“He was smart,” Ferreira said of Ngannou’s strategy at UFC 270. “MMA is about that, the mix. MMA isn’t just striking and knockouts, it’s everything. As long as you don’t use illegal blows, everything goes.”

Ferreira knows that knocking out a man like Ngannou would boost his name in the history books. Yet, winning is all that matters when it’s all said and done.

“We fight a fight a million times inside our heads, every shape and form of it, so it’s easier when we’re in there, but this is a five-round fight,” Ferreira said. “I’m being cautious there. Francis hits hard and walks forward, and he’s very strong, so I’ll use my movement and quick strikes, always hunting for the opportunity to land my jabs and go for the knockout. But, sure, the fight can go to the fence, go to the ground. I’ve trained all aspects of it so I’m not surprised by anything.”

“This is the biggest fight of my life,” he continued. “Everybody’s waiting for this moment. Two guys who have done a lot for their legacies and have done great fights and delivered great results. This is a wonderful moment for my life. I’m happy, well-prepared, and ready for war.”

Ferreira joined the PFL in May of 2021 and knocked out ex-UFC champion Fabricio Werdum in a bout that was later overturned to a no contest because Ferreira allegedly tapped to a triangle choke moments before the finish. His career has had ups and downs for two years before a major twist in 2023, winning the PFL heavyweight championship.

Ferreira battled Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader for the ticket to face Ngannou next, and obliterated the UFC and Bellator veteran in just 21 seconds. “The Predator” was sitting cageside in Saudi Arabia that night in February, and “Problema” fells he had the MMA star in shock.

“After that knockout, he was looking like, ‘I really have a problem in front of me, a tough man to face,’” Ferreira said. “I’m super well-prepared to welcome him [to PFL] and put on a show for the fans. I’m happy with this opportunity and this gigantic moment, an event built for us. This is a historic moment.”

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With UFC 308 happening in Abu Dhabi, regular UFC color commentator Joe Rogan is skipping the card because he doesn’t travel to international events.

In his place steps retired UFC lightweight Paul Felder, who calls the action for the stacked card featuring a highly anticipated featherweight title fight at the top as Ilia Topuria defends his belt for the first time against former champion Max Holloway.

Joining Felder on the broadcast team are Jon Anik handling play-by-play duties and UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier in his usual spot calling the pay-per-view.

Veteran UFC commentator John Gooden is set to serve as the in-house reporter handling backstage interviews and segments during the broadcast.

UFC officials confirmed the broadcast team to MMA Fighting on Saturday.

UFC 308 also features a pair of fights that could have title implications attached as former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker faces Khamzat Chimaev. The winner most likely moves onto compete for the title with reigning middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis currently expected to face Sean Strickland in his next outing.

Meanwhile at light heavyweight, Magomed Ankalaev looks to keep his 12-fight unbeaten streak intact when he faces Aleksandar Rakic on the main card. If Ankalaev wins, he’s likely going to move onto face UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira sometime in 2025.

UFC 308 goes down from Abu Dhabi with the main card kicking off on pay-per-view at a special start time of 2 p.m. ET with the prelims set to begin at 10 a.m. ET.

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MMA Fighting has a live stream watch party for Saturday’s PFL: Ngannou vs. Ferreira pay-per-view fight card in Saudi Arabia. In the main event, former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou makes his promotional debut against Renan Ferreira for the PFL Superfight heavyweight title.

Join MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and Jed Meshew to watch the main card live as it happens.

In the co-main event, Bellator champion Cris Cyborg faces two-time PFL $ 1 million champion Larissa Pacheco for the PFL Superfight women’s featherweight title.

PFL: Ngannou vs. Ferreira also includes a Bellator middleweight championship rematch between Johnny Eblen and Fabian Edwards, along with an intriguing matchup between former Bellator featherweight champion A.J. McKee and surging lightweight contender Paul Hughes.

The pay-per-view main card will also feature a featherweight tilt between Husein Kadimagomaev and Zafar Mohsen.

Watch the PFL: Ngannou vs. Ferreira live watch party on Saturday at 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT.

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Taking his time
| BJPenn.com

Francis Ngannou hasn’t competed in a mixed martial arts (MMA) bout in nearly three years, but the former UFC heavyweight king is as confident as ever heading into his return fight later tonight (Sat., Oct. 19, 2024) at PFL: Battle of the Giants live on ESPN+ pay-per-view (PPV) from inside The Mayadeen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

“Predator” has been testing his luck against the best heavyweight boxers in the world over the past 12 months. The results have varied, but it has given Ngannou the opportunity to make life-changing money and create even more appeal surrounding his long-awaited PFL debut this weekend in Saudi Arabia.

On Friday, Ngannou stepped on stage for ceremonial weigh ins and one last faceoff with Saturday’s main event opponent, PFL 2023 heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira. Ngannou is a massive specimen in the heavyweight division, but Ferreira’s incredible size still made “Predator” look small. That made for an interesting staredown as the two heavyweights jostled for head space (see HERE).

After the final faceoff, both fighters were interviewed and asked to give their thoughts on Saturday’s impending heavyweight clash. Ngannou, who still considers himself the No. 1 heavyweight fighter in MMA today, reminded Ferreira who the king is entering PFL: Battle of the Giants.

“Who’s the king Renan?” asked Ngannou (shown in the above video player).

“I’m the king,” he said before Ferrereira could respond. “Tomorrow you’re gonna find out.”

For all the latest “Battle of the Giants” news and notes click here.

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