MMA

Knockouts are fun, but Renan Ferreira will do ‘whatever it takes’ to beat Francis Ngannou at PFL Battle of the Giants

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3 hours ago

October 19, 2024

Knockouts are fun, but Renan Ferreira will do ‘whatever it takes’ to beat Francis Ngannou at PFL Battle of the Giants

Renan Ferreira and Francis Ngannou are two of the most ferocious knockout artists in the heavyweight division today, but they know MMA isn’t only about face punching.

The former PFL and UFC champions will headline Saturday’s PFL Battle of the Giants in Saudi Arabia for the Superfight championship, and the Brazilian admits he won’t stay in the pocket and trade with Ngannou wildly if he sees a different path for victory once they are inside the cage.

“The important thing for us is the win,” Ferreira said in an interview with MMA Fighting. “It’s a big show and a big event, of course, a big promotion, but this is my career and my fight, and I’m going after a victory. I’ll do whatever it takes to come out with the win, and I know he’ll do the same thing. I’ll always go for the win wherever the fight goes, always bringing my best, where I feel the most comfortable at.”

Ngannou has also shown a different side of his fighting abilities in the past, wrestling his way to the victory on his final UFC appearance in January of 2022 to defeat Cyril Gane via unanimous decision.

“He was smart,” Ferreira said of Ngannou’s strategy at UFC 270. “MMA is about that, the mix. MMA isn’t just striking and knockouts, it’s everything. As long as you don’t use illegal blows, everything goes.”

Ferreira knows that knocking out a man like Ngannou would boost his name in the history books. Yet, winning is all that matters when it’s all said and done.

“We fight a fight a million times inside our heads, every shape and form of it, so it’s easier when we’re in there, but this is a five-round fight,” Ferreira said. “I’m being cautious there. Francis hits hard and walks forward, and he’s very strong, so I’ll use my movement and quick strikes, always hunting for the opportunity to land my jabs and go for the knockout. But, sure, the fight can go to the fence, go to the ground. I’ve trained all aspects of it so I’m not surprised by anything.”

“This is the biggest fight of my life,” he continued. “Everybody’s waiting for this moment. Two guys who have done a lot for their legacies and have done great fights and delivered great results. This is a wonderful moment for my life. I’m happy, well-prepared, and ready for war.”

Ferreira joined the PFL in May of 2021 and knocked out ex-UFC champion Fabricio Werdum in a bout that was later overturned to a no contest because Ferreira allegedly tapped to a triangle choke moments before the finish. His career has had ups and downs for two years before a major twist in 2023, winning the PFL heavyweight championship.

Ferreira battled Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader for the ticket to face Ngannou next, and obliterated the UFC and Bellator veteran in just 21 seconds. “The Predator” was sitting cageside in Saudi Arabia that night in February, and “Problema” fells he had the MMA star in shock.

“After that knockout, he was looking like, ‘I really have a problem in front of me, a tough man to face,’” Ferreira said. “I’m super well-prepared to welcome him [to PFL] and put on a show for the fans. I’m happy with this opportunity and this gigantic moment, an event built for us. This is a historic moment.”

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Football

Tayven Jackson links up with Elijah Sarratt for a 15-yard TD, extending Indiana's lead over Nebraska

Published

18 mins ago

October 19, 2024

NewsAdmin

Tayven Jackson links up with Elijah Sarratt for a 15-yard TD, extending Indiana

Tayven Jackson linked up with Elijah Sarratt for a 15-yard TD, that extended the Indiana Hoosiers’ lead over the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

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MMA

Anthony Hernandez vs. Michel Pereira pick, start time: UFC Vegas 99

Published

47 mins ago

October 19, 2024

NewsAdmin

Hernandez vs. Pereira updates of every fight

Anthony Hernandez and Michel Pereira meet Saturday in the main event of UFC Fight Night 245 at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom.

Last event: 3-3
UFC main cards, 2024: 87-77-3

Anthony Hernandez vs. Michel Pereira UFC Fight Night 245 preview

Hernandez (12-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) enters his first UFC main event on a five-fight winning streak. He has finished three straight opponents: Marc-Andre Barriault and Edmen Shahbazyan in the third round, and Roman Kopylov in Round 2. Hernandez has also taken home two Performance of the Night bonuses on his current streak. … Pereira (31-11 MMA, 9-2 UFC) also enters on a hot streak as a winner of his last eight, including three consecutive stoppages after moving up to middleweight. He has also taken home five POTN bonuses during his winning streak.

Anthony Hernandez vs. Michel Pereira UFC Fight Night 245 expert pick, prediction

The main event in Las Vegas features a matchup of middleweight contenders, Hernandez and Pereira.

Despite dealing with a slew of injury withdrawals for the past few years, Hernandez has established himself as a real force at 185 pounds. Whereas Pereira, who is riding the momentum of a 7-fight winning streak, has looked to be in top form since moving up from welterweight.

Although the stylistic dynamic slightly favors Hernandez’s relentless wrestling attacks (especially inside the smaller octagon of the Apex), Pereira will be incredibly dangerous early.

Aside from the fact that Pereira carries knockout power in his hands, the Brazilian is also good about going to the body – which appears to be kryptonite to Hernandez.

That said, we still haven’t seen Pereira’s suspect gas tank tested in some time, so I’m curious how “Demolidor” will deal with Hernandez’s Dagestani spin cycle of positional rides and attacks on the floor.

A Pereira win wouldn’t shock me, but I’ll officially side with Hernandez to survive the initial storms and pull away down the stretch for a submission win in Round 3.

Anthony Hernandez vs. Michel Pereira UFC Fight Night 245 odds

The oddsmakers and the public heavily favor the Uzbek fighter, listing Temirov -325 and Vergara +250 via FanDuel.

Anthony Hernandez vs. Michel Pereira UFC Fight Night 245 start time, how to watch

As the main event, Hernandez and Pereira are expected to walk to the cage at approximately 9:05 p.m. ET (6:05 p.m. PT). The fight will stream on ESPN+.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 245.

Be sure to visit the MMA Junkie Instagram page and YouTube channel to discuss this and more content with fans of mixed martial arts.

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MMA

PFL: Battle of the Giants: Best photos from Riyadh

Published

1 hour ago

October 19, 2024

NewsAdmin

PFL: Battle of the Giants: Best photos from Riyadh

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October 19, 2024 2:18 pm ET

Check out these photos from the fights at PFL: Battle of the Giants, which took place at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photos courtesy of PFL MMA)