Francis Ngannou is again in a giant means.
The previous UFC heavyweight champion returned to MMA motion for the primary time in over two years and wanted lower than 4 minutes to dispatch Renan Ferreira in devastating trend to cap off PFL: Battle of the Giants.
Whereas he’s so well-known for his combat ending energy on the toes, Ngannou truly delivered a single takedown to start out the combat and he by no means let Ferreira again up once more. As soon as Ferreira acquired caught in a nasty spot on the canvas, Ngannou unleashed some really vicious floor and pound that simply began hammering away on the PFL heavyweight champion.
With every punch, Ferreira’s protection crumbled and Ngannou wasn’t slowing down till the combat was stopped. Referee Dan Miragliotta mercifully stepped in to rescue Ferreira at 3:32 within the first spherical as Ngannou secures his first win below the PFL banner.
Following the win, Ngannou was emotional as he devoted the efficiency to his son Kobe, who handed away earlier this yr at simply 15 months outdated.
“I can’t simply take into consideration something than my son Kobe,” Ngannou stated. “I solely take this combat for him. I hope they will bear in mind his identify as a result of with out Kobe, I wouldn’t be right here tonight.
“It’s been powerful. Not solely the coaching camp was powerful however the final two days was powerful, filled with emotion. I couldn’t do something with out fascinated by it. It’s arduous. That is for Kobe.”
The emotional turmoil seemingly fueled Ngannou to one in all his most dominant victories as he displayed his full vary of weapons to beat Ferreira on Saturday.
Some heavy leather-based thrown to start out the combat led to the takedown from Ngannou as he planted the large Brazilian on the canvas. Whereas Ngannou regarded to inflict injury from the highest, Ferreira managed to toss up a triangle choke try from the underside.
Ngannou resisted the submission earlier than breaking free as Ferreira desperately tried to scramble free however quickly he was consuming punches from the terrifying heavyweight on high of him. With Ferreira mainly simply masking up and never providing a lot resistance, Ngannou simply started unloading photographs in succession.
Ferreira appeared severely dazed earlier than simply falling flat on his abdomen as Ngannou stored throwing bombs till the referee lastly stopped the onslaught. Following the win, Ngannou remained down on the canvas for a number of moments as he embraced his coaches and let the wave of emotion lastly wash over him.
The win strikes Ngannou to 1-0 within the PFL after the promotion made an enormous funding in him as a free agent following the tip of his UFC profession. So far as what comes subsequent, Ngannou wasn’t prepared to take a position simply but if he’s going to stay round in MMA or maybe return to boxing as a result of the one factor on his thoughts was paying tribute to his son with this win.
“I knew I didn’t miss a step,” Ngannou stated about his comeback. “I wasn’t apprehensive about it. I knew all the things was nonetheless there. It was nearly me with the ability to handle my emotion. We’re right here, we lastly get the end result
“I feel my subsequent transfer in fight sports activities all relies on me, how I really feel. I at all times thought I nonetheless had lots to offer in fight sports activities. Hopefully I preserve considering that means.”
