Francis Ngannou claimed victory over Renan Ferreira in the first round with a decisive ground-and-pound in Saudi Arabia during the PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants event. This high-stakes gala featured three title matches from both PFL and Bellator, with champions Johnny Eblen and Cris Cyborg also securing victories in their respective bouts. Ngannou and Cyborg both earned Super Fights championship titles in their PFL debuts.
Following the event, attention turned to the future of the victorious fighters. Ngannou, who fought just months after the tragic passing of his 15-month-old son, expressed that he would continue to grieve but indicated a desire to return to the ring. There’s speculation that he could likely compete again as early as next year, possibly in boxing, considering the PFL’s interest in having champions defend their titles.
Cris Cyborg’s win over Larissa Pacheco by unanimous decision solidified her position as the PFL Super Fight women’s featherweight champion. At 39, Cyborg demonstrated her tactical abilities, marking a shift from her usual overpowering style. The competitive nature of the fight, which left her with visible injuries, suggests potential for a much-anticipated rematch with Pacheco, who showed promise as a formidable opponent and could build upon this experience for a future challenge.
Meanwhile, Johnny Eblen retained his Bellator middleweight title against Fabian Edwards in a closely contested match. Eblen’s victory raises questions about his next steps, as he has already defeated Edwards twice and lacks a clear challenger in the Bellator ranks. With no apparent contenders left in his division, there may be opportunities for him to transition to the UFC.
Overall, these fights have set the stage for intriguing matchups and rivalries that could shape the future of PFL and women’s MMA.