‘UFC Has Zero Competition In MMA’
Photo by Abdullah Ahmed/Getty Images
Francis Ngannou put a three-year MMA layoff behind him and delivered a vicious knockout finish over Renan Ferreira earlier 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.
The former UFC heavyweight champion came into Saturday night trying to prove he was the right sign for Professional Fighters League (PFL). The growing promotion dedicated a lot of money to Ngannou and even allowed him to take a break from MMA to try his hand at boxing. Despite losing two boxing matches to Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, Ngannou still carried a lot of hype with him into this weekend’s heavyweight title fight in Saudi Arabia.
Fortunately, PFL’s massive event was capped off by a blistering first-round finish by Ngannou. It may not have been a one-punch finish like fight fans remember “Predator” doing to Alistair Overeem and Stipe Miocic, but Ngannou showed new levels to his game and got it done with good old fashioned ground-and-pound. In the end, he got his hand raised, made PFL a ton of money, and put any doubts that he’s no longer the best in the world to rest.
Of course, the combat community had much to say about Ngannou’s memorable PFL debut. Check out some of the reaction below —including Conor McGregor licking his wounds from a $500K wager gone wrong — and let us know what you thought of Ngannou’s return to the cage:
Yeah he would of beat the bricks off AJ
— Demetrious Johnson (@MightyMouse) October 19, 2024
My instant reaction to the Francis Ngannou fight goes live at 8pm eastern/5 pm pacific at my YouTube channel. What a win by the big man! Don’t miss it. Go now!!! Let’s go big Frank!!!! pic.twitter.com/vZ7lWcWA2W
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) October 19, 2024
@francis_ngannou deserves it all. Scary man #pfl
— Justin Gaethje (@Justin_Gaethje) October 19, 2024
Instead of paying Ronaldo to be there, pay Anthony Joshua to rematch Francis Ngannou in MMA just for the LOLz.
— MacMally (@MacMallyMMA) October 19, 2024
So happy for Francis
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) October 19, 2024
Those shots had pain behind them. Too bad for Ferreira he probably ate a few more than necessary. What a return for Francis.
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) October 19, 2024
That is the most emotional reaction that I have seen from a collective team after a victory.
So much love for Francis from his team after a brilliant performance.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) October 19, 2024
Wow.
Francis Ngannou is the best heavyweight around.
Hands down.
To be considered the best you have to beat Francis.
— Jon Fitch ☠️ (@jonfitchdotnet) October 19, 2024
FRANCIS NURMAGAMEDOV!!
— Jeff Molina (@jmolina_125) October 19, 2024
Ngannou is a bad mtfka
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) October 19, 2024
wtf don’t be a pussy Ngannou #pfl
— Renato Moicano UFC (@moicanoufc) October 19, 2024
Kamaru Usman was HYPED after Francis Ngannou’s knockout
IG / @USMAN84kg #PFSuperFights #BraceForImpact pic.twitter.com/xijO2GSmsk
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) October 20, 2024
For complete PFL: “Battle of the Giants” results, coverage, and highlights, click HERE.