Renan Ferreira warns Francis Ngannou that his return to combined martial arts might find yourself badly for him if he’s not totally dedicated and centered on the game, dividing his consideration between MMA and a possible return to boxing sooner or later.
The previous UFC heavyweight champion shocked the world in his boxing debut in opposition to Tyson Fury in late 2023, placing on a formidable efficiency in a break up determination loss to “The Gypsy King,” however then misplaced by way of second-round knockout to Anthony Joshua this previous March.
Ferreira brutalized Ryan Bader in simply 21 seconds in a champion vs. champion conflict between PFL and Bellator stars earlier this 12 months to win the ticket to welcome Ngannou to PFL, and they’re going to face off Oct. 19 in Saudi Arabia.
“Francis goes by means of a tough 12 months, however [the task] is even more durable forward of him,” Ferreira mentioned at Thursday’s PFL press convention in Washington. “He is aware of he has an enormous drawback forward of him that shall be very laborious to resolve.”
Ferreira mentioned he’s adopted Ngannou’s profession for a very long time and has been getting ready to face somebody like him “my entire life.” The Brazilian expertise will enter the cage driving a four-fight knockout streak. Ngannou hasn’t competed in MMA since his last UFC look in January 2022, when he defended his UFC title in opposition to Ciryl Gane.
“It’s a very long time away from the cages, and it’s utterly completely different [from boxing],” Ferreira mentioned. “Francis has carried out boxing matches and it’s a complete completely different sport so I feel he’ll really feel the distinction, however he’s a warrior. It’s going to be troublesome for him on the ft, and within the grappling space, as a result of he is aware of I can both knock him out or submit him at any second.
“Many issues can occur, however I do know Francis is an enormous champion and is unquestionably taking this subsequent struggle severely. If his head just isn’t 100% on this struggle, he has an enormous drawback forward of him.”
Ferreira mentioned he by no means doubted that he could be the one to welcome Ngannou to the PFL cage, and used the additional time to get pleasure from a while together with his household and sharpen his instruments.
With Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall holds heavyweight belts at the moment within the UFC, and Ferreira ending 2023 because the division king in PFL, the Brazilian feels that his conflict with “The Predator” defines who’s the No. 1 heavyweight on this planet immediately.
“That is probably the most anticipated struggle of the 12 months, two nice heavyweights with related types, who transfer ahead for the knockout,” Ferreira mentioned. “So that is positively going to be a terrific struggle and will certainly outline who’s the world’s finest heavyweight.”