Riyadh – Francis Ngannou devoted his PFL debut victory at Battle of the Giants: Brace For Influence victory in Riyadh to late son Kobe in an emotional and historic night time on Saturday.
‘The Predator’ lived as much as his identify and popularity with a brutal first-round stoppage of 6’8 Renan ‘Problema’ Ferreira throughout the headline heavyweight world title occasion at The Mayadeen in Riyadh.
The Cameroonian introduced six months in the past that his 15-month-old son Kobe had died in an emotional social media submit. He not too long ago revealed that the reason for dying was a malformation on the mind.
Talking within the post-fight press convention after dedicating his win to Kobe, Ngannou mentioned: “I used to suppose I used to be powerful after which I discovered that I wasn’t that powerful. Life can take totally different paths after which it hits you actually unhealthy, from the entrance. After which it’s one thing I by no means imagined.
“It was fairly laborious to deal with the battle right this moment. It was laborious at any second from the start to the top. You suppose it’s by no means going to be over, however you simply be taught to roll with it, to dwell with it. In sure instances, I’d have taken (an extended) time to grieve however how lengthy would that take? I don’t suppose there’s sufficient time. It’s about protecting going and a brand new way of life.”
Talking in regards to the actual second when he received, Ngannou mentioned: “I used to be feeling fairly good. I used to be watching his motion and was capable of take him down. I got here right here to do what I got here to do.”
After beforehand combating Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in boxing matches in Riyadh, Ngannou additionally thanked Saudi Arabia and mentioned the Kingdom to him felt like “household”.
The 38-year-old wasn’t the one winner in an unimaginable night time in Riyadh, nonetheless. Within the co-main occasion at Battle of the Giants, Brazil’s Cris Cyborg beat countrywoman Larissa Pacheco by unanimous choice in an enchanting back-and-forth bout.
Talking on the post-fight press convention, Cyborg mentioned: “I really feel very blissful to get the PFL belt. For me, it was a historic battle right here in Saudi Arabia. Thanks to Saudi Arabia. I really feel very blissful and grateful to be right here. Thanks, MashAllah (God has willed it).”
Elsewhere, Johnny Eblen once more acquired the higher of Fabian Edwards within the middleweight title battle in one other unanimous choice; with the identical consequence seeing Zafar Mohsen overcome Husein Kadimagomaev at featherweight. Paul Hughes defeated AJ McKee in a light-weight battle in a 2-1 break up choice.
Eblen mentioned: “I really feel it felt the identical as the primary time round however this time I really confirmed my entire deck of playing cards. I utilized my wrestling a bit extra. I want I may have ended him.”
Irishman Hughes was delighted to have Al Nassr star Cristiano Ronaldo watch him win and mentioned: “That’s unimaginable. I used to be an enormous Manchester United fan and large Ronaldo fan rising up as a child. I’ve to get on the market and meet him! Any person please take me to him after this!”
Eager to battle Usman Nurmagomedov, Hughes was requested in regards to the prospect of getting Conor McGregor in his nook, with Khabib Nurmagomedov, McGregor’s previous rival, going to be in his cousin’s.
Hughes mentioned: “Conor! Any person clip this! Conor, I need you in my nook for that battle, 100%. How cool would that be? We would want some additional safety that night time however I’m down for it! I believe it could be enjoyable.”
The preliminary card for Battle of the Giants in Riyadh noticed Raufeon Stots defeat Marcos Breno; Makkasharip Zaynukov beat Dedrek Sanders; Ibragim Ibragimov defeat Nacho Campos; and Taha Bendaoud beat Tariq Ismail.
PFL Battle of the Giants: Brace For Influence Outcomes:
Essential Card |
Francis Ngannou def. Renan Ferreira by KO at 3:32 of spherical one
Cris Cyborg def. Larissa Pacheco by unanimous choice (49-46 x3)
Johnny Eblen def. Fabian Edwards by unanimous choice (48-47 x3)
Zafar Mohsen def. Husein Kadimagomaev by unanimous choice (30-27 x3)
Paul Hughes def. AJ McKee by break up choice (29-28 x2, 28-29)
Preliminary Card |
Raufeon Stots def. Marcos Breno through sub (rear-naked choke) at 3:01 of spherical three
Makkasharip Zaynukov def. Dedrek Sanders through unanimous choice (30-26×3)
Ibragim Ibragimov def. Nacho Campos by unanimous choice (30-27×3)
Taha Bendaoud def. Tariq Ismail by submission (triangle choke) at 3:51 of spherical two
Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Govt Author, Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a ardour for Fight Sports activities and in addition a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s additionally a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer.
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