Francis Ngannou vs Renan Ferreira LIVE: Start time and round-by-round updates as ‘The Predator’ secures first-round KO in PFL debut

Francis Ngannou insisted after the fight that he knew the moment he returned to MMA training that he still had the ability to be the best in the world.

And my goodness was he right.

We saw his burgeoning wrestling talents on show in his final UFC title defence almost three years ago but Ngannou clearly still is more than just a KO puncher.

After securing an early takedown he looked to be in some trouble as Ferreira used his long limbs to lock in a triangle choke.

But Ngannou was entirely unphased. He used the opportunity to advance position and unloaded a series of devastating punches that ultimately rendered Ferreira unconscious.

Old-school MMA fans may remember the days of Fedor Emelianenko having a legitimate claim to being the best heavyweight in all of MMA despite not being in the UFC.

On that evidence it would be hard to deny that Francis could well be the baddest man on the planet.

Francis Ngannou speaking post-fight on DAZN:

I think my next move in combat sports all depend on how I feel, how I deal with, with my life right now.

But otherwise, I always thought like I still have a lot to give in combat sports. And hopefully I keep thinking that way. I keep that thought alive.

Francis Ngannou speaking post-fight on DAZN:

I knew I didn’t miss a step. I wasn’t worried about it, because as soon as I walk in the gym for MMA, I knew that everything was still there.

It was just about me being able to manage my emotion. You know, deal with life separately, not have to not mix up stuff, so that basically what I was about. And we finally get the result.

Francis Ngannou speaking post-fight on DAZN:

I can’t think about anything [other] than my son Kobe. You know, I only take this fight because of him.

I hope they can remember his name, because without Kobe, we wouldn’t be here tonight. Please remember my son Kobe. I dedicate this fight to him.

Francis Ngannou gets a hero’s welcome at the Mayadeen in his first MMA fight in nearly three years.

And we are underway! Ngannou opens with a strong leg kick from the opening bell and Ferreira immediately responds with one of his own.

The tension is palable as these two titrans look for their opening strike.

It’s Ngannou who makes the first move, proving that he hasn’t forgotten his grappling skills during his time away from the cage and secures a big takedown against the fence.

Ferreira attempts a triangle choke but Ngannou is wise to it and uses his escape to improve position as we reach the halfway point of the opening round.

Ngannou begins raining down punches from the top position and Ferreira needs to improve his position!

FRANCIS NGANNOU GETS THE WIN BY FIRST-ROUND STOPPAGE!

We are now just moments away from Francis Ngannou’s long-awaited return to MMA.

Both fighters have made their way to the cage as the lineal MMA heavyweight champion prepares to make his PFL debut.

Do not blink readers, this one could be over quickly.

On Saturday night, MMA legend Francis Ngannou will make his long-awaited return to the cage for his PFL debut in Saudi Arabia.

The 38-year-old – whose last MMA bout was back in January 2022 – will take on fellow heavyweight Renan Ferreira inside the SmartCage as part of PFL’s ‘Battle of the Giants’ event in Riyadh.

Since his last victory in the UFC over two years ago, Ngannou has embarked on a journey which saw him make brief foray into boxing, sign with the PFL and earn roughly £23m ($30m) along the way.

Read Francis Ngannou’s interview with Mail Sport:

Renan Ferreira has insisted he is ready to fight fire with fire when he takes on Francis Ngannou at PFL Battle of the Giants.

The showdown marks Ngannou’s long-awaited return to the cage after departing the UFC when his contract expired as the promotion’s reigning heavyweight champion.

In the interim, the Cameroonian heavyweight embarked on a foray into professional boxing, shocking the world with an impressive performance against Tyson Fury before suffering a second-round KO loss against Anthony Joshua in May.

Read Renan Ferreira’s interview with Mail Sport below:

It’s finally time for the main event of PFL’s Battle of the Giants and what a fitting name that is. Francis Ngannou and Renan Ferreira are two of the biggest names (both in literal size and reputation) within MMA but only one can be crowned heavyweight king – let’s find out who it will be!

Cris Cyborg gets the win!

All three judges score the fight in favour of the 39-year-old as she becomes the first woman ever to win major MMA titles in five different promotions.

Cyborg insists she has just two fights left in her glittering career and sets her sights on a return in February for PFL’s upcoming Dubai card.

We are now just moments away from tonight’s main event…

It didn’t appear that we would make it solely based on the crazy pace set early in this fight but we are here in the fifth and final round.

Both fighters have had their moments and this round could prove to be the deciding one.

Cyborg is hunting for her patented fight-ending overhand right but does she have what it takes to land it after such a back-and-forth contest?

After yet another close round I certainly do not envy the judges tasked with determining a winner.

This really could go either way.

Mail Sport scorecard: Cris Cyborg 10 (48)-(47) 9 Larissa Pacheco

We’re in the championship rounds now and the momentum is definitely in favour of Pacheco as she continues to stalk forward here in the fourth.

Cyborg clearly still carries power in her shots despite her crimson mask but she is throwing less frequently now and being countered repeatedy by the younger fighter.

Still though, this is far from a one-sided fight and both women are having success in landing damaging shots.

Mail Sport scorecard: Cris Cyborg 9 (38)-(38) 10 Larissa Pacheco

Pacheco starts out the third round with a strong right hand and proceeds to taunt her opponent with some Nate Diaz-esque gestures.

Throughout her career Cyborg has constantly walked forward but has to be seen as a testament to Pacheco as she forces the former UFC champion to remain on the back foot here.

After catching a kick from Cyborg, Pacheco nails her opponent with a straight right and subsequently assumes top control and starts to attack with short elbows.

Unquestionably the most dominant round for Pacheco but can she seize the initiative?

Mail Sport scorecard: Cris Cyborg 9 (29)-(28) 10 Larissa Pacheco

Jake Paul joins the commentary team via video link as the action continues in our co-main event at breakneck speed.

Cyborg’s face is displaying the damage she has absorbed throughout this fight but he grappling again appears to be the X factor as she secures another takedown.

Absolutely compelling matchup so far with the women’s featherweight title on the line.

Mail Sport scorecard: Cris Cyborg 10 (20)-(18) 9 Larissa Pacheco

After a frantic start Cyborg secures a huge early takedown and establishes side control.

Pacheco manages to get back to her feet but is greeted by a massive high kick, which is met with little response despite slamming off the side of her head.

Cyborg again gets the fight to the mat but this time is met with a submission attempt as both fighters appear to be bleeding.

What an incredible start! This doesn’t seem likely to be destined to reach the final bell.

Mail Sport scorecard: Cris Cyborg 10-9 Larissa Pacheco

The PFL women’s featherweight title is on the line next as Cris Cyborg takes on Larissa Pacheco over five five-minute rounds.

Cyborg has been at the forefront of women’s MMA for almost two-decades, and is the most decorated women’s fighter in the history of the sport.

At 39, she is undoubtedly reaching the final stages of her glittering career and she faces a stern test in the former of Pacheco.

Pacheco has won two PFL tournaments in two different weight classes and is the only woman ever to defeat current UFC star Kayla Harrison inside the cage.

Johnny Eblen gets the victory on the judges scorecards and improves his perfect record to 16 victories from 16 professional contests.

Credit to Fabian Edwards though, he enjoyed by far his best round of the fight after being on the receiving end of a wrestling clinic for 20 minutes.

As a reminder to those just joining the blog, we have just one fight remaining before tonight’s main event…

We’ve been here before haven’t we? A dominant wrestler enters the fifth round of a title fight with a commanding lead on the scorecards against an Edwards brother.

If Fabian is going to get the win here, you have to think he will need to channel the heroics that saw Leon defeat Kamaru Usman with one of the most stunning KO’s in MMA history at UFC 278.

The action in this fifth round is briefly halted due to an eye poke by Edwards before we get another stoppage due to a low blow.

Edwards is defending takedown after takedown as he presses forward in search of a strike that could end this fight.

Valiant performance from both men in this final round but surely Eblen has done enough to retain his belt.

Mail Sport score card: Johnny Eblen 9 (49)-(46) 10 Fabian Edwards

Edwards enters the championship rounds for just the fourth time in his career but can he turn the momentum of this fight on its head?

It has been largely one way traffic thus far and Edwards is finally start to show signs of fatigue as this attritional battle wages on.

Every time Edwards attempts to return to the feet Eblen immediately returns him to the mat, instantly rendering the significant expense of energy meaningless.

Mail Sport score card: Johnny Eblen 10 (40)-(36) 9 Fabian Edwards

This is the round Eblen secured the KO win when these two fighters last met 13 months ago… can he repeat the feat this evening?

To say he has spent much of the last ten minutes of fighting carrying Eblen’s weight, Edwards looks fresh here but he will need to utilise his ringcraft to avoid a repeat of the first two rounds.

The uppercut he has been looking for from the opening bell lands as Edwards appears to grow in confidence.

Just as it appears Edwards is starting to get his fight going Eblen again manages to get in close and secures a takedown.

This fight is in danger of running away from Edwards.

Mail Sport score card: Johnny Eblen 10 (30)-(27) 9 Fabian Edwards

Leon Edwards – former UFC welterweight champion – is cornering his brother Fabian this evening and you can hear his instructions bellowing out around The Mayadeen. Whether or not Fabian is able to process what he’s saying, as he battles away with Eblen, is another story.

Edwards lands a nice counter early in the second but Eblen’s wrestling is proving to be a real problem as he relentlessly pursues the takedown and gets it.

This is a gruelling fight thus far as Eblen imposes his will and refuses to give Edwards the space that he needs to get his striking going.

The Briton finally has some separation in the final minute but Eblen is no slouch in the striking department and has another round in the bag.

Mail Sport score card: Johnny Eblen 10 (20)-(18) 9 Fabian Edwards

Strong start from both fighters here as they jockey for position in the centre of the cage.

Edwards appears to be attempting to set up an uppercut as the former collegiate wrestler Eblen attempts to shoot in for a takedown.

Eblen charges forward and pushes his opponent against the fence but Edwards is able to find his way back into striking distance.

This time he is able to get Edwards to the mat however, and his advantage in the wrestling department is clear as the first round comes to an end.

Mail Sport score card: Johnny Eblen 10-9 Fabian Edwards

The Bellator middleweight title is on the line in our next fight as Johnny Eblen and Fabian Edwards meet inside the cage once again.

Edwards, younger brother of former UFC champion Leon, suffered his third career defeat when Eblen knocked him out last year.

The British fighter will be determined to secure revenge here but he will need to become the first man to defeat Eblen if he is to become the second world champion in his family.

That wasn’t the most exciting bout between Kadimagomaev and Mohsen but that’s what you get when two evenly matched fighters meet inside the cage. Now, onto the first of tonight’s three title fights…

Our second main card fight of the evening results in the second decision but there is no contention here.

Mohsen absolutely dominated this fight and never looked to be in any real danger throughout.

It has to be said however, that the slow pace of the fight is unlikely to win either man many fans on what was the biggest showcase of their respective careers.

This fight has been crying out for some action and Mohsen looks the more likely to provide it as he starts aggresively.

Again though the pair find themselves locked in a stalemate as Kadimagomaev attempts in vain to secure a takedown against the fence as Mohsen defends well.

Mohsen ends the round with dominant top position and will almost certainly have done enough to get the nod.

Mail Sport scorecard: Husein Kadimagomaev 9 (27)-(30) 10 Zafar Mohsen

Both of these guys are accomplished grapplers but Mohsen appears to have the edge when the fight hits the mat thus far.

Often dominant grapplers are described as being deceptively strong.

It’s probably fair to say that moniker does not apply to the German Mohsen who wouldn’t look out of place in a bodybuilding competition with his muscle-bound frame.

Kadimagomaev opens up a cut on his opponent with an elbow in close but he needs to be more active as this fight continues.

Mail Sport scorecard: Husein Kadimagomaev 9 (18)-(20) 10 Zafar Mohsen

The final non-title fight of tonight’s card sees Husein Kadimagomaev take on Zafar Mohsen in a featherweight bout.

While both of these guys may not be household names, even to hardcore MMA fans, rest assured they are prepared to put on a show…

Following a tentative start from both fighters, Kadimagomaev secures an early takedown and immediately sets about attempting to secure a dominant position but Mohsen does well to get back to his feet.

The Judoka Mohsen responds by landing a takedown of his own in what has been a largely quiet opening round.

Mail Sport scorecard: Husein Kadimagomaev 9-10 Zafar Mohsen

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has become a consistent feature at big fights since his move to the Saudi Pro League and tonight is no different.

Although judging by the mixed response from the crowd it seems like not everyone here is an Al-Nassr fan…

There’s a reason they call him ‘Big News’ Paul Hughes. What a performance that was in just his second PFL outing. AJ McKee is a formidable opponent but he made it look somewhat easy inside the cage. The Irishman is certainly one to keep an eye out for in 2025.

After an exciting start to tonight’s main card we go to the judges’ scorecards for a decision.

The judges are split but Paul Hughes gets the nod via decision to secure the biggest win of his career.

Surprised to see one of the judges go in favour of McKee, he was relentless in his pursuit of the takedown but rarely enjoyed any real ground control throughout the fight.

In any case, Hughes is delighted to extend his win streak to seven as he sets his sights on a clash with Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagodemov.

If Paul Hughes can continue his control of this fight you have to think he is en route to the biggest win of his young career.

Seemingly having the same realisation, McKee starts aggressively and again goes hunting for a takedown but Hughes again manages to scramble into top position.

Who said European fighters couldn’t wrestle?

Hughes’ striking really is special. He continues to drive forward as McKee looks exhausted from attempting so many takedowns.

McKee finally secures a takedown but it is too little too late, and Hughes puts an exclamation mark on an impressive performance with some strong strikes before the final bell.

Mail Sport scorecard: AJ McKee 9 (27)-(30) 10 Paul Hughes

Cristiano Ronaldo gets a decidely mixed reception as he is shown in attendance on the big screen between rounds.

Hughes looks to build on his momentum with a high kick to open the second but McKee does well to block it.

As Hughes looks to set up his strikes McKee is doing a good job at stifling him thus far in the second, using the oblique kick to the Irishman’s knee to good effect.

After landing a hard left hook Hughes gets overzealous in search of the finish allowing McKee and entry to a takedown but he doesn’t do much with his control.

Mail Sport scorecard: AJ McKee 9 (18)-(20) 10 Paul Hughes

One of the biggest rising stars in Irish MMA, Paul Hughes has quickly earned a reputation as one to watch inside the cage.

With just one blemish on his 13 fight tenure as a professional, Hughes has the potential to become just the latest star to emerge from the Emerald Isle.

Standing across from him tonight however, is undoubtly the toughest test of his career in the form of former Bellator featherweight champion AJ McKee.

A quick rendition of the Saudi Arabia national anthem rings out inside The Mayadeen ahead of the main card starting. There’s a huge cheer from the crowd as it comes to an end, with the excitement inside the arena palpable.

When Francis Ngannou confirmed he would be departing the UFC as the promotion’s reigning heavyweight champion, few could have predicted just how impactful his time away from the Octagon would be.

Despite having never competed in professional boxing, the Predator’s first assignment saw him take on then heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in a 10-round non-title clash last October.

Viewed as little more than a freakshow fight by many observers, Ngannou quickly earned his Fury’s respect inside the ring, dropping the Briton to the canvas in the third-round with a perfectly-timed left hook.

Fury would ultimately, albeit controversially, get the nod on the judges’ scorecards, but Ngannou had proven he was capable of stepping up with boxing’s elite.

A clash with Anthony Joshua in May proved to be a bridge too far for Ngannou as he suffered a brutal KO in the second round.

Make no mistake about it though, when it comes to MMA few have been able to compete with the 38-year-old when he is at his best.

The question is, can he still reach those heights in the cage?

The atmosphere inside The Mayadeen is electric as we head into tonight’s main card. AJ McKee and Paul Hughes will kick-start the proceedings and all eyes will be on the Irishman – who was one of the most sought after free agents in MMA earlier in the year.

Welcome to Mail Sport’s coverage of Francis Ngannou’s long-awaited return to MMA at PFL: Battle of the Giants from Saudi Arabia!

Nearly three years since his last UFC title defence, Ngannou will step into the cage this evening as the lineal heavyweight champion of MMA, to take on the devastating KO artist Renan Ferreira.

The Cameroonian fighter has become a household name thanks to his forays into professional boxing, but he earned his reputation as one of the most dangerous fighters ever to strap on a pair of 4oz gloves.

Stick right here as myself and James Cohen provide all the news and updates from the opening bout of tonight’s five-fight main card right up to the main event.

The first fight of our main card tonight is scheduled for three five-minute rounds in the lightweight division.

Chants of Ole ring out around the Mayadeen in Riyadh as Hughes immediately assumes control of the centre of the cage.

McKee pressures Hughes against the fence and begins unleashing knees which Hughes’ corner believe to be low but their protests are ignored by referee Dan Miragliotta.

Hughes assumes top position from a failed takedown attempt and immediately starts raining down punches as McKee searches unsuccessfully for a submission.

Hughes lands a huge strike on the bell but the ref doesn’t hear it and this fight will continue…

Mail Sport scorecard: AJ McKee 9-10 Paul Hughes