The promotional trailer for Francis Ngannou’s return to MMA has just dropped – much to the jealousy of UFC fans.
The former UFC heavyweight king fights current champion Renan Ferreira in his fight with his new MMA promotion since leaving Dana White’s company in January last year.
Ngannou walked away from the UFC at his peak and is returning to mixed martial arts with the PFLGetty
Ngannou signed a deal with the PFL in May 2023, following a protracted contract dispute with the UFC, before crossing over to boxing where he lost against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul is also signed with the PFL, but just like Ngannou, is yet to have his first fight in the promotion.
‘The Predator’ lost only two of his 14 fights in the UFC, becoming heavyweight champion in March 2021 and defending it against Ciryl Gane one year before he left the organisation.
Ferreira, Ngannou’s opponent, has been in the PFL since 2021 and is on a four-fight win streak, having finished three of those fights in the first round.
The pair will meet for their PFL world heavyweight title fight on October 19 in Saudi Arabia.
The fight has been promoted as the ‘Battle of the Giants’.
And it’s very fitting that both men in the trailer appear taller than the buildings they stand in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
In a very King Kong vs Godzilla-like trailer, both men come face-to-face and destroy pieces of rubble thrown at one another.
After Ngannour and Ferreira have torn through the streets, sending helicopters crashing into the ground, we are shown the octagon where they will eventually end up.
The promo has sparked debate among the MMA community, with many fans claiming the PFL have outshone their biggest rivals in the UFC.
PFLNgannou is fighting for the first time in the PFL[/caption]
PFLFerreira is the current PFL Heavyweight Champion[/caption]
PFLBoth men will meet in Saudi Arabia on October 19[/caption]
One fan commented: “These trailers do put the UFC ones to shame 100%.”
While another added: “Creative, fun and great promo. UFC gotta take some notes here. Not even [UFC] 300 had something like this.”
A third said: “This takes a dump on UFC trailers.”
The co-main event on October 19 has MMA veteran and former UFC women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg facing Larissa Pacheco.
Fabian Edwards, the younger brother of former UFC champion Leon Edwards, also features on the card as he takes on Johnny Elben for the second time.
