Renan Ferreira and Francis Ngannou are two of probably the most ferocious knockout artists within the heavyweight division immediately, however they know MMA isn’t solely about face punching.
The previous PFL and UFC champions will headline Saturday’s PFL Battle of the Giants in Saudi Arabia for the Superfight championship, and the Brazilian admits he received’t keep within the pocket and commerce with Ngannou wildly if he sees a distinct path for victory as soon as they’re contained in the cage.
“The essential factor for us is the win,” Ferreira mentioned in an interview with MMA Preventing. “It’s a giant present and a giant occasion, in fact, a giant promotion, however that is my profession and my battle, and I’m going after a victory. I’ll do no matter it takes to return out with the win, and I do know he’ll do the identical factor. I’ll at all times go for the win wherever the battle goes, at all times bringing my finest, the place I really feel probably the most comfy at.”
Ngannou has additionally proven a distinct aspect of his preventing skills up to now, wrestling his method to the victory on his ultimate UFC look in January of 2022 to defeat Cyril Gane through unanimous determination.
“He was sensible,” Ferreira mentioned of Ngannou’s technique at UFC 270. “MMA is about that, the combination. MMA isn’t simply placing and knockouts, it’s every little thing. So long as you don’t use unlawful blows, every little thing goes.”
Ferreira is aware of that knocking out a person like Ngannou would enhance his identify within the historical past books. But, profitable is all that issues when it’s all mentioned and executed.
“We battle a battle 1,000,000 instances inside our heads, each form and type of it, so it’s simpler once we’re in there, however it is a five-round battle,” Ferreira mentioned. “I’m being cautious there. Francis hits arduous and walks ahead, and he’s very sturdy, so I’ll use my motion and fast strikes, at all times looking for the chance to land my jabs and go for the knockout. However, positive, the battle can go to the fence, go to the bottom. I’ve skilled all features of it so I’m not stunned by something.”
“That is the largest battle of my life,” he continued. “Everyone’s ready for this second. Two guys who’ve executed rather a lot for his or her legacies and have executed nice fights and delivered nice outcomes. It is a great second for my life. I’m completely happy, well-prepared, and prepared for battle.”
Ferreira joined the PFL in Could of 2021 and knocked out ex-UFC champion Fabricio Werdum in a bout that was later overturned to a no contest as a result of Ferreira allegedly tapped to a triangle choke moments earlier than the end. His profession has had ups and downs for 2 years earlier than a significant twist in 2023, profitable the PFL heavyweight championship.
Ferreira battled Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader for the ticket to face Ngannou subsequent, and obliterated the UFC and Bellator veteran in simply 21 seconds. “The Predator” was sitting cageside in Saudi Arabia that night time in February, and “Problema” fells he had the MMA star in shock.
“After that knockout, he was trying like, ‘I actually have an issue in entrance of me, a tricky man to face,’” Ferreira mentioned. “I’m tremendous well-prepared to welcome him [to PFL] and placed on a present for the followers. I’m proud of this chance and this gigantic second, an occasion constructed for us. It is a historic second.”
