Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira early preview and prediction

Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira early preview and prediction

As a long-time follower of combat sports and a fan who’s seen it all, from Pride FC to the UFC’s glory days, I can’t help but feel a mix of excitement and trepidation at the upcoming Francis Ngannou vs Renan Ferreira showdown. This fight is like a breath of fresh air after the whirlwind of boxing bouts that saw Ngannou take on heavyweight titans Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.


In the world of mixed martial arts (MMA), a highly debated and well-known figure, Francis Ngannou, has an announced comeback date: October 19. The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has confirmed his match against Renan Ferreira, which is contending for the PFL Super Fight championship.

The announcement made clear that Ngannou will once again step into the octagon, following his back-to-back boxing matches against top-tier heavyweight champions Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. This declaration signals both his comeback to MMA and his debut in PFL, as he hasn’t been active in Mixed Martial Arts since his victory over Ciryl Gane in January 2022.

In the PFL arena, Francis Ngannou made his debut, marking a substantial moment not only for him but also for the promotion. This is because the PFL is now hosting its first-ever main event featuring their most high-profile free agent acquisition ever. Following the expiration of his UFC contract, Ngannou explored various MMA promotions before finally deciding to join the PFL. The key factors influencing this decision were the financial incentives offered by the PFL and the opportunity it presented for him to engage in prestigious boxing matches, something the UFC had previously refused to facilitate.

Opposite Ngannou in the cage will be Ferreira, who’s currently riding a four-match winning streak within PFL and fresh off a significant victory against ex-Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader. Standing at 6 feet 8 inches tall, Ferreira has been on a powerful rampage, boasting a career record of 13 wins and 3 losses, with seven of those victories coming in the first round by TKO.

Some might underestimate Ferreira in this match due to Ngannou’s fame and impressive background. However, it’s crucial not to ignore three significant aspects as we approach the fight:

When evaluating the upcoming battle, it’s crucial to consider Ngannou’s recovery following his knockout against Anthony Joshua in March. While boxing and MMA fights differ significantly, a knockout is a knockout, and the brain requires ample time to recover. Moreover, there’s always a risk that the impact might lead to lasting changes.

Another way to phrase it could be: A significant aspect to consider is the relentless march of time. As Ngannou nears his 38th birthday in just a few weeks, history has demonstrated that fighters at this age can deteriorate quickly. Given that he faces a younger, more active, and colossal opponent like Ferriera who aims to knock him out, this fight could prove to be quite risky for Ngannou, potentially increasing Ferriera’s chances of victory beyond what fans might predict.

Francis Ngannou’s path to victory

Ferreira’s large stature and powerful abilities make him a challenging foe for opponents to understand. Standing at 6 feet 8 inches tall with an impressive reach of 85 inches, fighters like him are not common. Luckily for Ngannou, one of his upcoming adversaries, Tyson Fury, shares the same measurements. This should help Ngannou feel more confident in dealing with the long-range combat and finding openings for his attacks.

Renan Ferreira’s path to victory

In his most significant and highly anticipated fight yet, Ferreira possesses the physical prowess and technical finesse required to emerge victorious against Ngannou. To achieve this, Ferreira must maintain composure, avoid getting overawed by the magnitude of the occasion, and adhere strictly to a well-thought-out strategy. This strategy should involve utilizing his impressive athleticism to deliver potent kicks with his extended limbs, thus keeping Ngannou at bay.

In this match-up, despite both fighters showcasing immense power and swift finishing skills, if lingering ring rust or non-knockout effects persist, Ngannou’s experience may prove crucial. The fight is unlikely to go to the ground unless Ferreira intentionally uses grappling to safeguard his chin and slow down Ngannou’s potent strikes. Ideally, we’ll witness a complete round or more for insights into where Ngannou stands in MMA currently, and to assess the credibility of Ferreira against one of the top heavyweight contenders globally.

Official prediction: Francis Ngannou by 2nd round KO/TKO

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2024-08-07 16:43

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