It’s finally here. One of the most anticipated MMA fights of 2024 is happening this weekend when Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia opens its doors to some of the finest athletes in both the PFL and Bellator MMA.
Another PFL Super Fights pay-per-view card, dubbed “Battle of the Giants”, takes place on Saturday afternoon (US time) from Saudi Arabia. Live coverage of Battle of the Giants begins at 12:30 pm ET/ 9:30 am PT on ESPN+ and DAZN with the prelims.
If you’re looking for the undercard on traditional television, ESPNNEWS is the destination for Saturday. Main card action follows at 4 pm ET/ 1 pm PT on ESPN+ and DAZN PPV.
Heavyweight Gold at Stake Saturday in Battle of the Giants Main Event
All told, absent of any adjustments to the bout order, Battle of the Giants features nine fights, including three title fights at the top of the bill. Highlighting the night’s activities is a heavyweight showdown in the Battle of the Giants main event.
Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou (17-3 MMA, 12-2 UFC) makes his return to the sport against 2023 PFL Heavyweight Champion Renan Ferreira (13-3, 3 NC MMA, 7-1, 3 NC PFL). As with all main events in most MMA promotions, the Battle of the Giants main event is an advertised maximum of five rounds at five minutes per round to close the show.
Battle of the Giants Main Event Fighter Comparison and Betting Odds
Heading into the Battle of the Giants main event on Saturday night, Renan Ferreira stands as the taller man at 6-foot-8, compared to the 6-foot-4 frame of Francis Ngannou. Ferreira owns a two-inch reach advantage (85 inches to 83 inches) over Ngannou.
Currently, the oddsmakers have Francis Ngannou installed as a -250 betting favorite on the money line, while Renan Ferreira counters as a +205 underdog. If you plan on betting on this or any other fight happening this weekend, please wager responsibly.
Ngannou Returns to MMA for First Time in Almost Three Years
Francis Ngannou enters the Battle of the Giants main event having gone 5-0 in his last five MMA fights. In January of 2022, he scored a unanimous decision victory over Ciryl Gane (12-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC) during the UFC 270 main event.
After that fight, Ngannou underwent knee surgery, subsequently turning his attention to the sweet science of boxing for fights between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, losing both. In a recent interview with MMAJunkie’s Mike Bohn, Ngannou discussed what it was like going through training camp for an MMA contest for the first time since the surgery.
“My body is holding up well,” Ngannou said. “Obviously, I had a knee surgery, but that was over two years [ago], two years and a half now. It took me quite a long time, over a year, to really get back, but now I’m very strong. By the time I get back into [a] fight, I get very strong. So, yes, I can kick, even though kicking is not my cup of tea, but I do kick.”
It’s been 33 months since Francis Ngannou has entered a cage for a fight. Can he get back to the win column on Saturday?
Renan Ferreira Seeks Second Straight Win in Riyadh
In the other corner, Renan Ferreira has posted a mark of 4-0 with one no-contest over the last five fights. Earlier this year, he bested Ryan Bader (31-8, 1 NC MMA) during PFL vs. Bellator on Feb. 24 with a first-round knockout in 21 seconds (right hook followed by ground and pound).
Much like PFL vs. Bellator late last winter, Battle of the Giants also takes place from Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, so it goes without saying that last year’s heavyweight champion already has experience in that venue. Back in August, he spoke with Dan Hardy between fights at a PFL Playoffs event about squaring off with Ngannou.
“I feel amazing,” Ferreira began, through his translator. “I’m ready to put on the performance of a lifetime, make the fans smile [and] make my people proud.”
Can he go 2-for-2 in Saudi Arabia? Tune in Saturday night and find out.
Analysis, Film Study, and Prediction
Given that this is a heavyweight affair, don’t expect the Battle of the Giants main event to go the advertised length this weekend. As has been mentioned many a time before in discussing heavyweight fights, one punch can end the evening.
Ngannou Doesn’t Mess Around
Francis Ngannou isn’t the kind of person to waste time once the cage door shuts on fight night. Just look at the tape of his 2020 fight against Jairzinho Rozenstruik at an empty VyStar Veterans Arena in Jacksonville during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Right after the command to fight was given, Ngannou absorbed an inside leg kick before coming back to land a burst of punches knocking him down and out. Total time of the knockout: 20 short seconds.
If Ngannou comes out with guns blazing in the Battle of the Giants main event, it could be over in a hurry.
Ferreira Also Can Bring the Fireworks
In the other corner, Renan Ferreira can get the job done quickly in his own right, something that was illustrated rather graphically in his February contest vs. Ryan Bader.
A few seconds into the opening round, Ferreira uncorked a well-placed right hook to put Bader on the canvas, ending the contest with a barrage of ground and pound shots. Renan Ferreira will have to beat Francis Ngannou to the punch right from the first bell on Saturday night.
Final Thoughts
Not much more has to be said about the Battle of the Giants main event except this: Get your popcorn ready.
Prediction: Renan Ferreira by First-Round Knockout.
