Professional Fighters League (PFL) News
Francis Ngannou's coach shares emotional pre-fight team conversation before PFL debut win
Curtis Calhoun - October 22, 2024
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou had an internal fight hours before making his highly-anticipated return to the cage in his PFL debut. Ngannou defeated 2023 PFL heavyweight title winner Renan Ferreira in the Battle of the Giants main event last weekend in Riyadh. After almost three full years away from MMA, Ngannou looked dominant in his return, finishing Ferreira in the first round.
Francis Ngannou provides an update on his next fight
Harry Kettle - October 22, 2024
PFL heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has provided an interesting update on his next fight. Last weekend, Francis Ngannou made his long-awaited return to mixed martial arts. He took on Renan Ferreira and, to put it bluntly, he dominated. After taking Ferreira to the ground, he was able to unleash some vicious shots on his opponent en route to an impressive knockout victory.
Cris Cyborg teases Misfits Boxing debut against Jully Poca after PFL title win: "She wanted to fight me next..."
Josh Evanoff - October 21, 2024
PFL and Bellator women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg has her sights set on Misfits Boxing star Jully Poca. The Brazilian is fresh off her return to the cage in the co-main event of PFL pay-per-view offering on Saturday. Back in the cage for the first time since knocking out Cat Zingano last October, Cris Cyborg faced Larissa Pacheco. For her part, the latter entered the cage riding a ten-fight winning streak, handing Kayla Harrison her only career defeat in that stretch.
Francis Ngannou shows interest in future fight against GLORY champion Rico Verhoeven: "Send me a deal"
Josh Evanoff - October 21, 2024
PFL Superfights heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is down to face Glory kickboxer Rico Verhoeven. ‘The Predator’ made his long-awaited return to the cage Saturday night in Saudi Arabia. In the main event of a PFL pay-per-view offering, Francis Ngannou faced Renan Ferreira. For the former UFC heavyweight champion, the bout was his first since being flattened by Anthony Joshua in the boxing ring in March.
Francis Ngannou reacts to Jon Jones' post-fight tweet after his successful PFL debut
Curtis Calhoun - October 21, 2024
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has answered Jon Jones’ tweet after a successful PFL debut against Renan Ferreira. Ngannou’s return to MMA went about as well as he could’ve expected on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. After nearly three full years away from the cage, Ngannou quickly took down Ferreira and finished the fight with brutal ground-and-pound strikes.
Pro fighters react after Francis Ngannou KO's Renan Ferreira at PFL: Battle of the Giants
Chris Taylor - October 19, 2024
Tonight’s PFL: Battle of the Giants pay-per-view event was headlined by a heavyweight super fight between Francis Ngannou and Renan Ferreira. Ngannou (18-3 MMA) was returning to MMA this evening for the first time since scoring a unanimous decision victory over Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 in January of 2022. ‘The Predator’ had most previously competed in boxing, where he suffered a brutal second-round knockout loss to Anthony Joshua (see that here).
PFL Results: Francis Ngannou KO's Renan Ferreira (Video)
Chris Taylor - October 19, 2024
We have you covered for all of tonight’s PFL: Battle of the Giants pay-per-view results, including the heavyweight bout between Francis Ngannou and Renan Ferreira. Ngannou (17-3 MMA) will be returning to MMA for the first time since defeating Ciryl Gane by unanimous decision at UFC 270 in January of 2022. ‘The Predator’ most recently competed in boxing where he suffered a brutal second-round knockout loss to Anthony Joshua (see that here).
PFL Results: Cris Cyborg defeats Larissa Pacheco (Highlights)
Chris Taylor - October 19, 2024
We have you covered for all of tonight’s PFL: Battle of the Giants pay-per-view results, including the women’s featherweight title fight between Cris Cyborg and Larissa Pacheco. Cyborg (27-2 MMA) will be competing for the first time since scoring a first-round TKO victory over Cat Zingano at Bellator 300 in October of 2023. The former UFC champion has gone 6-0 since making the move the Bellator in July of 2019.
Former Bellator champion Gegard Mousasi files lawsuit against the PFL, seeks $15 million in damages
Josh Evanoff - October 17, 2024
Former Bellator middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi is now suing the PFL. ‘The Dreamcatcher’ hasn’t been seen in the cage in well over a year. Gegard Mousasi’s last appearance came in the main event of Bellator 296 in Paris against former title challenger Fabian Edwards. The bout came just a few months after Johnny Eblen ended the champion’s time at the top with a brutal decision loss.
Francis Ngannou teases unlikely finish in upcoming MMA return against Renan Ferreira: “I’ve been working on some little tricks”
Harry Kettle - October 17, 2024
Francis Ngannou has teased a finish ahead of his upcoming return to mixed martial arts against Renan Ferreira. This weekend, Francis Ngannou will finally make his return to mixed martial arts. He will do so against Renan Fereira as part of the main event at PFL: Battle of the Giants.
Holly Holm backing former opponent Cris Cyborg to beat Larissa Pacheco in PFL debut: "Go in there and get that championship"
Josh Evanoff - October 16, 2024
Holly Holm is backing Cris Cyborg to defeat Larissa Pacheco this weekend in her PFL debut. The two Brazilians are currently set to meet in the co-main event of Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira on Saturday. Larissa Pacheco enters the fight red-hot, riding a ten-fight winning streak over the likes of Julia Budd and Kayla Harrison. Meanwhile, Cris Cyborg hasn’t competed since a knockout win over Cat Zingano at Bellator 300 last October.
Kayla Harrison accuses PFL of treating fighters poorly: "The truth will come out"
Curtis Calhoun - October 15, 2024
Two-time PFL championship winner Kayla Harrison responded to founder Donn Davis’s ongoing attacks by shedding a small light on how the league treats its roster. Harrison is fresh off a unanimous decision victory over Ketlen Vieira at UFC 307 earlier this month. She’s 2-0 since signing with the UFC earlier this year, including a finish of former titleholder Holly Holm at UFC 300.
NFL legend Ray Lewis to address fighters before their ‘PFL: Battle of the Giants’ bouts
Harry Kettle - October 15, 2024
The PFL is set to ensure maximum violence at Battle of the Giants with Ray Lewis chatting to fighters before they go out. At this point, it certainly seems as if the PFL is willing to do just about anything to promote Battle of the Giants. It makes sense, too, given that this is by far the biggest event they’ve ever produced from top to bottom.
Francis Ngannou again taunts Dana White over comments about his UFC pay: "I have all the receipts"
Josh Evanoff - October 14, 2024
PFL heavyweight Francis Ngannou has responded to UFC President Dana White. ‘The Predator’ is set to return to the cage this Saturday in Saudi Arabia. Back for the first time since a decision victory over Ciryl Gane in early 2022, Francis Ngannou will face Renan Ferreira. The bout will be the former champion’s first under the PFL banner, but not his first since leaving the UFC.
Francis Ngannou explains why he feels like a significant "underdog" ahead of MMA return vs. Renan Ferreira
Curtis Calhoun - October 14, 2024
Former UFC champion Francis Ngannou admits he’s entering his PFL debut with a steep mountain to climb against the formidable Renan Ferreira. Ngannou and Ferreira headline Battle of the Giants this Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The PFL’s latest pay-per-view event marks the long-awaited return to the cage for Ngannou, almost three full years since his last MMA fight.
Francis Ngannou's coach criticizes PFL's lack of promotion for former UFC champ's MMA return
Curtis Calhoun - October 11, 2024
The head coach of former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou believes the PFL has overlooked one of the biggest aspects of his return to the cage. Ngannou will face 2023 PFL heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira in a pay-per-view main event on October 19th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. After almost three full years away from MMA, Ngannou will make his long-awaited return to debut in the PFL SmartCage.
Larissa Pacheco criticizes PFL for "Uncalled for" treatment of Kayla Harrison in recent fight promo
Curtis Calhoun - October 9, 2024
Two-time PFL champion Larissa Pacheco didn’t appreciate the league’s treatment of Kayla Harrison in a questionably timed fight promo ahead of her return. Pacheco will face Bellator Women’s Featherweight Champion Cris Cyborg in the Battle of the Giants co-main event on October 19th. She returns to the cage for the first time since winning the 2023 PFL women’s featherweight title over Marina Mokhnatkina.
Daniel Cormier dismisses PFL and Bellator, says UFC is the only place to earn "Superstardom"
Curtis Calhoun - October 8, 2024
UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier feels the UFC is the only MMA promotion in which athletes truly have an opportunity to achieve a superstar fame level. Cormier sat cage-side as UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira defeated Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307. Pereira defended the belt for the third time in just seven months and rallied from early adversity to finish Rountree.