Former undisputed heavyweight UFC champion, Francis Ngannou lastly got here face-to-face with incoming foe, Renan Ferreira forward of his PFL (Skilled Fighters League) debut towards the Brazilian in Saudi Arabia later this annum, the place he struggled to carry again tears while discussing the tragic passing of his son earlier this 12 months.
Ngannou, a former undisputed heavyweight champion beneath the banner of the UFC, has but to compete in combined martial arts since he efficiently unified the promotional titles towards then-interim champion, Ciryl Gane again in 2022.
Handing the Frenchman his first skilled loss, Cameroonian favourite, Ngannou landed a unanimous choice win over the previous, earlier than departing the promotion to signal with the PFL the next annum.
Francis Ngannou emotional discussing passing of late son, Kobe
And eventually slated for his first enterprise to the SmartCage following a pair {of professional} boxing matches towards former world championship successful duo, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, Ngannou featured at a pre-fight press convention at present forward of his conflict with Ferreira in October.
“FIghting for me is a way of life,” Francis Ngannou instructed assembled media forward of his PFL MMA debut. “I questioned myself if I ought to proceed or retire, however I didn’t need my son to be the explanation for me to try this.”
“It turns into a brand new function for me,” Francis Ngannou defined. “I made a decision to make a constructive out of his 15 months of residing. To search out energy out of him, as a motivation, to maintain going as a substitute of quitting. I feel that is one of the simplest ways of honoring him.”
In his most up-to-date look beneath the PFL banner, Ferreira gained an inaugural Tremendous Belt in a heavyweight title battle towards Bellator MMA champion, Ryan Bader, laying waste to the previous UFC mild heavyweight contender with a blistering opening spherical knockout win in Riyadh, incomes a battle towards Batie knockout artist, Ngannou.
