Renan Ferreira happy to be flying under the radar for PFL showdown with Francis Ngannou

Brazilian grateful for opportunity to face MMA heavyweight great in Riyadh

Renan Ferreira speaks to the media in Riyadh ahead of the PFL heavyweight bout with Francis Ngannou. Photo: PFL

With all eyes on Francis Ngannou, one of the most recognisable MMA fighters in the world, ahead of Saturday’s Professional Fighters League (PFL) heavyweight title bout, his opponent Renan Ferreira is quietly planning his challenge.

Ngannou might be the star attraction at the ‘Battle of the Giants’ show in Riyadh, but it is Ferreira who is the champion.

And, according to Ngannou, the 6ft 8ins Brazilian is a heavily underrated fighter and not to be taken lightly.

“I think he’s by far the fastest and the best striker, maybe the best striker in the heavyweight division globally right now. That’s just my opinion, so for me he represents a lot from a fighter’s perspective,” Ngannou told The National in Riyadh.

Such praise must have been music to the ears of Ferreira’s camp, even if the Brazilian admits to suffering from a few pre-fight nerves.

“Coming into this fight, I have lot of energy, a lot of anxiety, and I really worked hard for this moment,” Ferreira told reporters at the Fifa World Cup Exhibition Centre in the Saudi capital. “I wish this to be a great fight. And for me, it’s all about getting this anxiety out and transforming it into good positive energy.

“It’s not unusual for any fighter to go through the uncertainties and the emotions before a fight of this magnitude but when taking the positives, it’s a great environment to be in one of the biggest heavyweight fights.”

Ferreira arrives in Riyadh with four victories under his belt since June 2023, the last being a TKO over Ryan Bader in the PFL versus Bellator champions contest in February. “I came to the PFL versus Bellator fight after three fights in five months from June to November and my body was tired,” said Ferreira.

“I needed to take a break. So I went back to Brazil, and then three months ... I had to go to a very intensive camp and now here I am in good shape and ready for the fight night.

“It will be a fight with special flavour because a victory over an undisputed world heavyweight champion means a lot for me. So, definitely it is something that will be very important for me to win.”

Ferreira thinks Ngannou’s absence from MMA for nearly three years - to feature in a couple of high-profile boxing matches - is unlikely to diminish his threat.

“Francis is a great athlete and he’s been in MMA for a long time as well. So, I have true and a great respect for him,” Ferreira said. “Obviously he’s a great champion and his return to the cage isn’t a big deal. I don’t feel that at all. Obviously, he’s a great champion.”

A black belt in jiu-jitsu, Ferreira comes from a humble background. He worked as a security guard and a construction worker before joining jiu-jitsu training at a social project for children from low-income families in Brasilia in 2013. His life changed three years later when he moved to Rio de Janeiro to pursue martial arts full time.

“That was God’s work and I’m ever thankful for it, and now to be here in one of the biggest MMA platforms,” Ferreira said.

“I feel it. It’s going to be a great fight, a big one. God is mainly behind the scenes. It was not easy to get here and be in this place. I’m even more proud to be a Brazilian athlete with a Brazilian base.

“This is a source of joy, a source of happiness for me. This is what moves me and makes me give my best in this game. I’m very proud and very glad. I thank God for the opportunity that I’m having here.

“I’m just very happy to be here after all this struggle and this work to be in this sport. I’m just super grateful, super happy.”