Ngannou And Ferreira Face Off – ‘He Has A Big Problem Ahead Of Him’
Francis Ngannou and Renan Ferreira held their presser ahead of their PFL heavyweight fight on October 19.
Ngannou has his first MMA fight since leaving the UFC last year once contract talks broke down. He has not had an MMA fight since knocking out Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 in 2022. Since his PFL deal, Ngannou has boxed twice. He came up short against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. Then, further events cast doubt on whether he would fight again.
He lost his son, Kobe, who passed away at 15 months. Ngannou was then confirmed as Chairman of PFL Africa, which will have their play-off season next year. But a win over Ferreira makes Ngannou the best fighter in the division. Renan is the current PFL Heavyweight Champion. In February, He defeated Ryan Bader on the PFL vs. Bellator Champs Card to beat Bellator’s best. The winner will propel their profile further, while Ngannou knows the calls for a Jon Jones fight will increase with a win. Both had plenty to say at the presser.
Ngannou’s Quotes
“It’s nice to be here but also a little nervous. I was backstage and thinking, “Okay it’s been a long time since I’ve been here.” When I returned to the gym two months ago, I wondered if I had forgotten how to fight. But once I got back on the mats, I realized it was always there, and I felt like I had never left. I am quite excited and looking forward to this.
“Everyone is a problem to some extent. He is definitely a problem for some people. As far as I am concerned, he is not a problem. It is the “Problema” against “The Predator.” I think the nicknames speak for themselves.
Further Quotes
“This was always the plan. I think in May last year, we had confirmed I was supposed to fight this year. Even before my last fight with [Anthony] Joshua, this fight was already being talked about. Before the Champs vs. Champs fight in Saudi Arabia happened, I was supposed to fight the winner, so this was always the plan.
“I wasn’t impressed with his knockouts, not because they were not good but because I knew he was capable of doing that. I’ve been watching Renan Ferreira long before many others knew who he was because I was so impressed with his ability. I saw him enter the PFL Season and I put my money on this guy, he’s going to smash everybody. I’ve been watching him, and I wasn’t impressed with his last fight because I knew what he was going to do.
“My goal right now is not just being back in MMA but being back in activity in combat sports in general. It’s being back in what I love. I always look for my purpose. Lately it’s been a little tough. I didn’t have a chance to fight for my son, so this will be my chance,” Francis Ngannou
Ferreira’s Comments
“It was a great honor to be here. I am ecstatic to have this opportunity and to be able to fight someone the caliber of Francis Ngannou. Francis is a great athlete. I have been following his career for a very long time. I have been impressed by his career and his feats for a very long time. Meeting him in person has only solidified what I thought about him. He is a big man with big power.
“Two and a half years is a long time away from the sport, but the cage is a cage. It’s going to bring other challenges. I said it before and I will say it again, he has a big problem ahead of him. He knows I have knockout power, and I can take him down to the ground and submit him.
“I know my accolades and what I bring to the table. I know what I’ve done for the sport here at the PFL. Once we get locked inside the cage, it doesn’t really matter whose name was said first or who said anything. A fight is a fight,” Renan Ferreira
Presser
Comments
Find all the latest boxing news and MMA breaking updates on boxingnews.com.
