Renan Ferreira warns Francis Ngannou that his return to blended martial arts may find yourself badly for him if he’s not totally dedicated and centered on the game, dividing his consideration between MMA and a possible return to boxing sooner or later.
The previous UFC heavyweight champion shocked the world in his boxing debut towards Tyson Fury in late 2023, placing on a powerful efficiency in a break up determination loss to “The Gypsy King,” however then misplaced by way of second-round knockout to Anthony Joshua this previous March.
Ferreira brutalized Ryan Bader in simply 21 seconds in a champion vs. champion conflict between PFL and Bellator stars earlier this yr to win the ticket to welcome Ngannou to PFL, and they’ll face off Oct. 19 in Saudi Arabia.
“Francis goes by a tough yr, however [the task] is even harder forward of him,” Ferreira mentioned at Thursday’s PFL press convention in Washington. “He is aware of he has an enormous downside forward of him that shall be very laborious to resolve.”
Ferreira mentioned he’s adopted Ngannou’s profession for a very long time and has been making ready to face somebody like him “my entire life.” The Brazilian expertise will enter the cage driving a four-fight knockout streak. Ngannou hasn’t competed in MMA since his ultimate UFC look in January 2022, when he defended his UFC title towards Ciryl Gane.
“It’s a very long time away from the cages, and it’s utterly completely different [from boxing],” Ferreira mentioned. “Francis has finished boxing matches and it’s a complete completely different sport so I feel he’ll really feel the distinction, however he’s a warrior. It’s going to be troublesome for him on the ft, and within the grappling space, as a result of he is aware of I can both knock him out or submit him at any second.
“Many issues can occur, however I do know Francis is an enormous champion and is certainly taking this subsequent battle severely. If his head is just not 100% on this battle, he has an enormous downside forward of him.”
Ferreira mentioned he by no means doubted that he could be the one to welcome Ngannou to the PFL cage, and used the additional time to take pleasure in a while together with his household and sharpen his instruments.
With Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall holds heavyweight belts at the moment within the UFC, and Ferreira ending 2023 because the division king in PFL, the Brazilian feels that his conflict with “The Predator” defines who’s the No. 1 heavyweight on this planet at this time.
“That is essentially the most anticipated battle of the yr, two nice heavyweights with comparable kinds, who transfer ahead for the knockout,” Ferreira mentioned. “So that is positively going to be an incredible battle and will certainly outline who’s the world’s greatest heavyweight.”
