Francis Ngannou Questions Refereeing In PFL Victory Over Renan Ferreira

Photo: Francis Ngannou (Instagram)

Francis Ngannou made a powerful comeback to the MMA scene with a first-round knockout of Renan Ferreira during his debut fight in the Professional Fighters League (PFL). The fight took place last Saturday in Saudi Arabia, marking Ngannou’s return to mixed martial arts after nearly three years. His return was highly anticipated, especially after losing boxing matches against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua during his break from MMA.

Ngannou's victory was not without controversy. Many fans and critics believe that referee Dan Miragliotta waited too long to stop the fight. Ngannou had Ferreira pinned against the cage and delivered a series of punches while his opponent appeared defenseless. However, the fight continued longer than some felt was necessary, raising concerns about Ferreira’s safety.

Ngannou himself addressed the issue in an interview with Ariel Helwani, saying, "I didn’t want to throw unnecessary punches. I thought the fight should have been stopped earlier."

Photo: Francis Ngannou (Instagram)

After his victory, Ngannou gave a heartfelt tribute to his son, Kobe, who passed away at just 15 months old. This emotional moment resonated with fans, adding a deeper layer of significance to his return to the octagon.

While Ngannou has made a strong impression in the PFL, the heavyweight division lacks the same level of competition he faced in the UFC. This has led to speculation about a potential fight with UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones. Talks of a cross-promotion fight between Ngannou and Jones have been circulating, with 2025 being suggested as a possible date for the highly anticipated matchup.


With key figures like Turki Alalshikh involved in both the UFC and PFL, a deal could potentially be reached, making this one of the biggest fights in MMA history. Source: Bloody Elbow 


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