Ngannou KOs Ferreira In Round 1 On PFL Debut, Dedicates Win To His Late Son

Francis Ngannou knocked out Renan Ferreira in the first round on his PFL debut to become the Heavyweight Superfight Champion.
There were question marks over whether Ngannou would be the same MMA fighter, having not had a bout since knocking out Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 in 2022. He entered the fight with two losses in a row, following his boxing bouts against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. However, Ngannou reminded everybody what he was made of. He secured a takedown early on as Renan tried a triangle choke. He then got Renan on his back and went for the finish. Ngannou thundered down with his striking as the referee stopped the fight. It was a remarkable achievement, given that Ngannou entered the fight following the tragic loss of his 15-month son.
Ngannou WIns
“It was tough, it’s been tough – not only the training camp was tough, but the past two days were very tough, full of emotion. I couldn’t do anything without thinking of [Kobe]. I tried to be strong, I told myself everything to keep moving, but it’s hard, it’s so hard. As soon as I walked in the gym for MMA, I knew that everything was still there, it was just about me being able to manage my emotions and deal with life. I only took this fight because of him … I hope [people] remember his name,” Ngannou revealed
Cyborg Vs. Pacheco
In chief support, Cris Cyborg made history by beating Larissa Pacheco to pick up the featherweight super fight belt via a unanimous decision: 49-46, 49-46, 49-46. Cyborg entered the fight with much expectation. She is the only fighter in the history of MMA to be the Grand Slam Champion. She won belts in Bellator, UFC, Strikeforce and Invicta FC. Now, she has added a PFL belt to her collection. Cyborg was on a seven-fight win streak, while Pacheco had won ten in a row. However, it was Cyborg who edged out a competitive fight.
Cyborg started to use her jab, while Pacheco pressed the action. Cris secured a takedown, which Pacheco got out of, only to be hit with a leg kick. Cyborg was in control, getting another takedown while Pacheo attempted a guillotine choke. Pacheco tried to put the pressure in the second as Cyborg’s right hand failed to find its target.
Cyborg Makes History
Cyborg resorted to kicking and landing one to send Pacheco down. As Pacheco tried to pressure Cyborg, the latter kept clinching. Cyborg continued to punish a downed Pacheco, who got back up near the end of the round and connected with a right hand. But it was a Cyborg round. Coming into the third round, Cyborg had cuts over both eyes. The two exchanged with their right hands.
Pacheco caught Cyborg with a right hand, dropping her down. Pacheco then took Cyborg to the canvas with sustained pressure, landing hooks, punches and elbows. In round four, the pace slowed down. Cyborg’s right hand landed as she put Pacheco on the back foot. Cyborg also landed a left in a strong fourth heading into the fifth. Both fighters reduced their output. Cyborg was tentative with her jab, but she backed up Pacheco with her left and right hands. The two fighters gave it their all, but Cyborg came out on top.
“She’s a legend,. She’s a big name in the sport. She punched really hard. It’s a pleasure for me. I’m really thankful to be here. I’m really happy. I feel very blessed, very thankful. I have two more fights, I’m going to defend this title,” Cyborg said
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