Video: Francis Ngannou flexes again, shatters UFC contender’s grip strength record | PFL ‘Battle of the Giants’

Dan Hiergesell is an expert voice who serves as MMAmania.com's weekend editor, covering mixed martial arts (MMA) for more than 15 years, getting featured on programs such as Countdown to UFC and SiriusXM Fight Club, among others.

Francis Ngannou is one of the strongest heavyweights to ever compete in mixed martial arts (MMA) so it’s not surprising to see him break the record on the grip strength test.

This new grip strength test has been making the rounds in MMA and was last seen at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Main event title challenger Khalil Rountree Jr. produced the strongest grip from the card’s long list of veteran fighters. Little did Rountree Jr. know that his record would be smashed by Ngannou just a few weeks later.

Ngannou is in Saudi Arabia this week as he makes his official PFL debut and long-awaited return to MMA. Remember, the former UFC heavyweight champion has competed in two boxing matches over the past 12 months. “Predator” lost both, but he’s made a ton of cash along the way. He’ll look to bring the fight back to the cage this weekend against PFL heavyweight tournament winner Renan Ferreira.

While in town, Ngannou was asked to take a shot at the grip strength test and see how powerful he truly is. In case you forgot, Ngannou once shattered the record for the hardest punch ever recorded. When it comes to his grip the former UFC king is just as strong. Ngannou’s results were good enough to beat Rountree Jr. by double digits.

Check it out below:

Ngannou, who turned 38 last month, is hoping to live up to his lucrative PFL contract and help the promotion close the gap with UFC. Ferreira has been a serviceable heavyweight with a ton of potential, but “Predator” is the biggest star on the roster and someone that must perform this weekend in Saudi Arabia.

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BRACE FOR IMPACT! Former UFC Heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou, makes his highly-anticipated return to mixed martial arts (MMA), facing the monstrous (6’8”) 2023 PFL Heavyweight champion, Renan “Problema” Ferreira, for the newly-minted PFL Super Fights Heavyweight championship belt on Sat., Oct. 19, 2024, from inside Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In the “Battle of the Giants” co-main event, the greatest women’s MMA fighter of all-time, Cris Cyborg, squares off against PFL two-division champion, Larissa Pacheco. In addition, reigning Middleweight kingpin, Johnny Eblen, will run it back with Fabian Edwards, while former Bellator Featherweight roost-ruler, AJ McKee, welcomes surging Irish prospect, Paul Hughes, to the upper echelon of the talent-stacked Lightweight division. “Battle of the Giants” pay-per-view (PPV) main card start time is set for 4 p.m. ET on ESPN+ (stream it live in Europe and Canada on DAZN PPV). The “Prelims” portion will begin at 1:30 pm ET and will air on ESPN+ (as well as DAZN).

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