Video: ‘King’ Ngannou delivers final message to oversized Ferreira ahead of heavyweight mega-fight | 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 hasn’t competed in a mixed martial arts (MMA) bout in nearly three years, but the former UFC heavyweight king is as confident as ever heading into his return fight later tonight (Sat., Oct. 19, 2024) at PFL: Battle of the Giants live on ESPN+ pay-per-view (PPV) from inside The Mayadeen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

“Predator” has been testing his luck against the best heavyweight boxers in the world over the past 12 months. The results have varied, but it has given Ngannou the opportunity to make life-changing money and create even more appeal surrounding his long-awaited PFL debut this weekend in Saudi Arabia.

On Friday, Ngannou stepped on stage for ceremonial weigh ins and one last faceoff with Saturday’s main event opponent, PFL 2023 heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira. Ngannou is a massive specimen in the heavyweight division, but Ferreira’s incredible size still made “Predator” look small. That made for an interesting staredown as the two heavyweights jostled for head space (see HERE).

After the final faceoff, both fighters were interviewed and asked to give their thoughts on Saturday’s impending heavyweight clash. Ngannou, who still considers himself the No. 1 heavyweight fighter in MMA today, reminded Ferreira who the king is entering PFL: Battle of the Giants.

“Who’s the king Renan?” asked Ngannou (shown in the above video player).

“I’m the king,” he said before Ferrereira could respond. “Tomorrow you’re gonna find out.”

LIVE! Stream ‘Battle of Giants’ On PPV

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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