Fans React To Ngannou’s Training For PFL Debut vs. Ferreira – ‘Looks Sharp’
MMA fans reacted to Francis Ngannou’s training ahead of his PFL debut against Renan Ferreira on October 19.
Ngannou had his first MMA fight since 2022 when he knocked out Ciryl Gane at UFC 270. Since then, he left the UFC and signed a deal with the PFL. Ngannou took up two boxing fights as he faced off against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. He was praised for his performance against Fury. He dropped the Gypsy King in the third round before taking him the distance.
While he lost a split decision, some in the fight community felt he should have been given the decision. That performance secured him a top-ten ranking in the WBC as he secured the Anthony Joshua fight. However, he was knocked out against Joshua in the second round, as he now turns his attention to MMA.
There are question marks over whether Ngannou’s long layoff will have an impact. He is facing the best heavyweight in the PFL. Ferreira is coming off a knockout victory against Ryan Bader on the PFL vs. Bellator Champs card. Ngannou also has questions over his mindset following the tragic passing of his 15-month-old son, Kobe. While he has stated that he is using his son’s passing as a source of motivation, he will have to keep his emotions in check on one of the biggest stages in MMA. However, the training footage suggests that his mind is completely focused on the task at hand.
Ngannou’s Training
The following above shows him smashing the pads with his boxing and kickboxing skills. He is performing numerous punching drills on the bag whilst also engaging in ground and pound scenarios. The fight is an opportunity to double down on Ngannou’s prior claim that he is the best heavyweight in MMA. The current consensus is that Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall are the two leading heavyweights in MMA. Jones is the current UFC Heavyweight Champion who will face Stipe Miocic in November at UFC 309 in a defense of his title. He won the vacant title after beating Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 in a first-round submission win after being around three years away from the sport.
Aspinall is the interim champion, having worked himself into a title shot. He defeated Curtis Blaydes in his last fight at UFC 304, putting him in a position to face either Jones or Miocic next. Aspinall has questioned whether Ngannou is the best heavyweight, primarily due to the level of opposition he will be facing in the PFL.
While that may be the case, Ngannou is looking for the opportunity to silence those doubters. He is confident that he will face Jones, naming Saudi Arabia as the destination. The Saudis have shown they are willing to put money behind The PFL and the UFC to make the biggest fights out there. And there is none bigger than Ngannou taking on Jones.
“Yes, I think there is more of a chance of it happening in Saudi Arabia. There’s basically more of a chance if it happens here.” Ngannou said
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