MMA's Heavyweight King Francis Ngannou Makes His Long-Awaited MMA Return This Week At 'PFL: Battle Of The Giants'

Getty Image

It’s been over two years since his last MMA fight, but MMA’s heavyweight king is back.

After a falling out with the UFC due to failed contract negotiations, Ngannou did the unthinkable and relinquished his UFC Heavyweight title belt to sign with the PFL.

Since then, Ngannou has boxed against two of the biggest heavyweight boxers in the world in, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.

Following his two losses in the boxing ring, Ngannou is ready to make his long-awaited MMA return.

On Saturday, October 19th, Ngannou will face off against 6-foot-8 2023 PFL Heavyweight Champion Renan “Problema” Ferreira in Saudi Arabia for the new PFL Super Fights Championship Belt.

The countdown is on ⏳

Impact is set for inside the PFL SmartCage between these4⃣𝗚𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗦

[ #PFLSuperFights | #BraceForImpact | Sat, Oct 19th | 4PM ET | BUY NOW https://t.co/kWyJTEGRvW] pic.twitter.com/wIfhlY7pMz

— PFL (@PFLMMA) October 14, 2024

While Ngannou is fighting for the belt, his motivation is to honor his late son who passed away this summer.

Via BBC

“It’s become a new purpose for me. I decided to make a positive out of his 15 months of living. To find the strength out of him, as a motivation, to keep going instead of to quit.

“I think this is the best way of honouring him.”

Battle of the Giants will be available on ESPN+ PPV in the US and DAZN worldwide. Full fight card below.

“Battle of the Giants: Brace for Impact” Main Card:
ESPN+ PPV (U.S.) | DAZN (Worldwide)
Mayadeen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Saturday, October 19
Early Card: 1:30 pm ET / 8:30 pm AST
Main Card: 4:00pm ET / 11:00 pm AST

Heavyweight Main Event: Francis Ngannou (17-3) vs. Renan Ferreira (13-3, 3 NC)
Women’s Featherweight Co-Main Event: Cris “Cyborg” (27-2, 1 NC) vs. Larissa Pacheco (23-4)
Bellator Middleweight World Title Bout: Johnny Eblen (15-0) vs. Fabian Edwards (13-3)
Featherweight Main Card Bout: Husein Kadimagomaev (11-1, 1 NC) vs Zafar Mohsen (13-4)
Lightweight Main Card Bout: AJ McKee (22-1) vs. Paul Hughes (12-1)

“Battle of the Giants: Brace for Impact” Early Card:
Bantamweight Early Card Bout: Raufeon Stots (20-2) vs Marcos Breno (15-3)
Lightweight Early Card Bout: Makkasharip Zaynukov (15-4) vs Dedrek Sanders (9-4)
Featherweight Early Card Bout: Ibragim Ibragimov (7-0) vs Nacho Campos (5-0)
Middleweight Early Card Bout: Mostafa Nada (9-3) vs Ahmed Sami (11-4-0, 1 NC)
Featherweight Early Card Bout: Youssef Al Housani (4-1) vs Taha Bendaoud (3-0)