PFL vs Bellator Champ vs Champ: Kingdom Arena; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
The PFL might have purchased Bellator, but in the first ever major MMA event in Saudi Arabia, one thing was certain. Although Bellator fighters have not seen action in a long time, there was no rust in them. As a matter of fact, they were skunking them all night. At least until the main event. And that’s when Renan Ferreira used a one hitter quitter for the blazing fast finish.
On the line was not only a special title belt, and a championship ring. The real prize for the winner would be the first fighter to welcome Francis Ngannou back to MMA. A place he has not been since leaving the UFC after beating Ciryl Gane back in January 2022.
And Ryan Bader was giving up an 11-inch reach advantage to “Problema” who’s now KO’d his last four opponents, and the third in the opening frame. Bader actually came out and took the center of the cage and was on his toes. But that bouncing cost him. Ferreira fired a vicious right hand that connected on Bader’s jaw dropping him. Ferreira jumped on him landing ground-and-pound, with referee KERRY HATLEY also jumping down, but to stop the fight. As Bader started to roll, he was clipped in the back of the head, but the finish was already there.
One Hitter Quitter For The Baddest Man On The Planet Fight?
Can he do it again against Ngannou? Sure, especially since heavyweights retain their power into their 40s usually. An age Ngannou is nearing. But let’s look at things constructively. Ngannou was on a six-fight win streak with four ko’s when things went sideways with the UFC. And his wrestling has somewhat improved since day one. That will need to be the difference in the fight. He will need to control the action on the ground, if it even gets there. Because Ferreira is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt. Although he uses it as much as Justin Gaethje uses his wrestling.
So when two huge massive sluggers meet sometimes one gets slept. But the one that could pull the unexpected move successfully out of the bag has the better chance at winning. Both fighters have head cracking power in both hands. Ferreira’s chin is underrated, and better. And he’s quicker overall. Ngannou chose not to do an immediate faceoff with Ferreira to give him his moment.
Add in that Ngannou has been so focused on boxing training, has his MMA training now suffered tremendously? Ferreira will hold a four-inch height reach, a five-inch arm reach, and a three-inch leg reach. The Brazilian’s kicking game is also key cog in his arsenal. Ngannou will probably be ready for this battle mid-summer after boxing Anthony Joshua. Providing he leaves unscathed.
For as ferocious as Ngannou is, the numbers are just too stacked for Ferreira.
Sports news can be found at: Belly Up Sports. Everything CYCLONE is at: Facebook.
