It's good to prepare your heart. The PFL: Battle of Giants that takes place this Saturday (19) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is full of attractions. Three belt defenses, return of Francis Ngannou to MMA after almost three years, Renan Problem measuring forces against the Franco-Cameroonian, Chris Cyborg 'finishing the game'… you can't lose!
O SUPER FIGHTS made a list with five reasons (and is it necessary?) for everyone to keep their eyes off PFL: Battle of the Giants. Check it out!
1- Ngannou's giant return to MMA
Unhappy with the negotiations to renew his contract with the organization, Francis Ngannou left the UFC as heavyweight champion (up to 120,2 kg) in January 2022, shortly after his last title defense. The French-Cameroonian began his transition to boxing, where he dreamed of facing great names in the noble art.
In October 2023, the Franco-Cameroonian almost starred in one of the biggest upsets in the history of the sport when he faced the undefeated heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. In a close and balanced fight, Francis showed great heart and resilience, knocked down his rival, but ended up being beaten by the British on points. The performance of the former UFC champion impressed everyone and made it clear that he had the talent to stand out in boxing as well.
See too
However, his path in the noble art was not without obstacles. Five months later, the former UFC fighter was brutally knocked out by Anthony Joshua in a boxing exhibition. The defeat shook the fighter's confidence, but did not make him give up on his goals.
Now, almost three years later, Ngannou returns in style against Renan Problem in search of the special PFL belt. There is a lot of expectation surrounding this fight, as the French-Cameroonian sometimes calls himself an 'underdog' and sometimes calls himself the best heavyweight in the world.
A fight that deserves to be watched with your heart racing… even more so against a Brazilian who could really be a 'Problem'!
2 – 'Problem' for Ngannou
Renan Problem in victory in the PFL. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Renan ferreira, better known as 'Problema', is the current holder of the PFL heavyweight belt. One of the main Brazilian names in the category, the 34-year-old fighter began his career in the sport in 2013, but only achieved relevance in 2021, when he earned the chance to play in the organization by winning the 2023 season tournament.
Born in Porangatu, Goiás, 'Problema' trained in athletics, long jump and high jump before pursuing a career in martial arts. His journey in fighting began at the age of 19, when he began training Jiu-Jitsu in a social project for low-income youth and, in less than a year of training, he made his debut in MMA. He currently has a record of 13 wins, three losses and three no-contest fights. His main triumphs were over Denis Goltsov and Ryan bader.
Renan is confident for his fight against Ngannou. In one of his interviews this week, the Brazilian said he is in a 'comfortable position' and that a victory over the French-Cameroonian would make him the 'greatest heavyweight in the world', even ahead of Tom Aspinal and Jon Jones.
3 – Biggest fight in PFL history
Francis Ngannou e Renan Problem in staredown. Photo: Reproduction/PFL
Battle of Giants… there was no better name for the clash! Francis Ngannou is by far the biggest name to ever grace the organization. He broke with the UFC when he was still the heavyweight champion and soon signed with the PFL. Renan Problem is the champion of the season. He is big, strong, and knows how to terrorize and knock out his opponents. A victory for the Brazilian over the French-Cameroonian could shock the world.
Another factor was the investment made for the event to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The PFL invested so much in the Battle of Giants that the organization's president himself, in an interview with mmajunkie, stated that he considers it the biggest MMA event of 2024.
4 – Cris Cyborg x Larissa Pacheco
Larissa pacheco (left) is the next opponent of Chris Cyborg (dir). Photo: Reproduction/Montage SUPER FIGHTS
Another clash between giants! This Saturday's co-main event features the Brazilians Chris Cyborg e Larissa pacheco. The fight is worth the organization's featherweight 'Superfight' belt (up to 65,7 kg) and features the two best athletes outside of the UFC.
To Larissa pacheco, a two-time PFL champion, the fight has the potential to transform her into a star. For Cyborg, the victory represents the completion of an extraordinary legacy, built independently and with few connections to the biggest MMA event in the world.
At 30 years old, Larissa is living the best moment of her career. In 2022 and 2023, she won the lightweight (up to 70,3 kg) and featherweight (up to 65,7 kg) tournaments, respectively. With these victories, she earned more than US$ 2 million (R$ 11 million at the current exchange rate).
Cyborg, 39 years old and current Bellator featherweight champion, is approaching the end of her career, which began in 2005. Despite this, the Curitiba native is seen as the most difficult challenge of Larissa's life.
Although she is younger than her opponent, a victory over Chris Cyborg would be the greatest achievement of Larissa pacheco. In almost 20 years as a professional, only two fighters have managed to beat the Curitiba native. One of them is Amanda nunes, seen by many as the best in the history of the sport.
5 – Title fight between Johnny Eblen and Fabian Edwards
Johnny Eblen (left) and Fabian Edwards (right) faced each other at Bellator 299. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Another title fight, now with a revenge atmosphere in the middleweight category (up to 83,9 kg). Fabian Edwards has a second chance against the Bellator champion, Johnny Eblen. 'The Assassin' wants revenge for his September loss at Bellator 299. Eblen snapped a three-fight winning streak for Edwards, who immediately got back into the win column in his next fight against aaron jeffery, winning by unanimous decision.
“Some people say it’s too early and all that, but to me, it feels right. I just look at it as a fight, it doesn’t mean that’s how all the fights are going to go. I look at it as a new fight, but I’ve felt it before,” Edwards said in an interview with MMAJunkie.
Ahead of the rematch, Edwards studied the first fight and said he had watched the finishing sequence 'thousands of times, which taught him an important lesson.
“That’s what this fighting game is, it’s the little things that make the difference. I look back at the last fight, it was a little mistake that made the difference, and I made sure to correct them,” Edwards added.
Yes, Johnny Eblen seems calm and confident, declaring this week that he and Sean Strickland are the best middleweights in the world.
Check out the PFL fight meeting: Meeting of Giants
Order date: October 19th, 2024
Working Hours: From 14:30 pm (Brasília time)
Location: The Mayadeen, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
How to watch: SUPER FIGHTS LIVE in real time; Combat Channel (the entire card) on TV and CombatePlay (entire card) online
MAIN CARD
Heavy weight (up to 120,2 kg): Francis Ngannou x Renan Problem – title fight
Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Chris Cyborg x Larissa pacheco – title fight
Average weight (up to 83,9 kg): Johnny Eblen x Fabian Edwards – title fight
Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Husein Kadimagomaev x Zafar Mohsen
Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): AJ McKee x Paul Hughes
PRELIMINARY CARD
Bantam weight (up to 61,2 kg): Raufeon Stots x Marcos Breno
Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): Dedrek Sanders x Makkasharip Zaynukov
Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Ibragim Ibragimov x Nacho Campos
Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Tariq Ismail x Taha Bendaoud
Read More about: Chris Cyborg, Fabian Edwards, Francis Ngannou, Johnny Eblen, Larissa pacheco, Renan Problem
You need login To comment.