Ngannou Says He Is The Underdog Against Ferreira – ‘Look At His Grappling’
Francis Ngannou says he feels like an underdog coming into his October 19 fight against Renan Ferreira.
Ngannou will have his first MMA fight since knocking out Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 in 2022. Contract talks with the UFC broke down as he would leave the organization last year. According to reports, he turned down an $8 million offer because his independent contractor rights would be impacted. He would subsequently sign a deal with the PFL, allowing him to box. Ngannou took up those opportunities by facing Tyson Fury on his boxing debut. He dropped the Gypsy King in the third round and took it to the scorecards, only to lose via split decision. But many felt that he had done enough to win.
The performance earned him a top-ten ranking within the WBC. Ngannou then secured a fight with Anthony Joshua. However, he was knocked out in the second round. The Predator would then lose his 15-month-old son, Kobe, leaving question marks over whether he would fight again. Meanwhile, Ferreira is the PFL Heavyweight Champion. He also defeated Ryan Bader on the PFL vs. Bellator Champs card this year, making him the best heavyweight. And Ngannou knows that a victory will propel his status and make him a champion in another MMA outfit. But there are natural reservations over whether he is still the same fighter, and The Predator recognizes that.
Ngannou Reacts
“We don’t fight a name, we fight talent. The name in that Octagon doesn’t matter, it’s useless, And let me tell you something. This guy has talent. From all of my opponents, I think this is going to definitely be one of my toughest fights…his athleticism, look at his grappling.
“Black belt in grappling. His striking is high level, very well-rounded…when he strikes, you don’t even know that he can grapple [too]…He brings a lot of challenges because of his height, speed, everything. For me, as I’m taking it, I see this fight as the underdog. I feel like the underdog,” Ngannou said
The pressure is all on Ngannou. He is making his PFL debut and has been branded as one of the poster boys of the organization. He was also appointed as Chairman of PFL Africa, as the playoffs will take place next year. Ngannou has also talked up the organization by stating that the two boxing fights enabled him to earn more than he did in his entire UFC career. Reports stress that he earned $10 million from the Fury fight, while the figure was $20 million for the Joshua fight.
That could not have happened without the PFL. A victory will also increase the calls for him to face UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones. Although Dana White has said he would never work with Ngannou again, the Introduction of the Saudis could change that. The Saudis have invested money into the PFL and the UFC, showing they can work with both sides. The Saudis have also put on the biggest fights in boxing, something which they would hope to replicate in MMA. That is why it is on the line for Ngannou, come fight night.
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