Everyone in the combat sports industry is talking about PFL's biggest card to date, Battle of the Giants, which will be broadcast live worldwide on DAZN Pay-Per-View tonight.
The fans are debating who will win and how, and pundits are discussing if this will be the moment PFL shines.
With former UFC champion Francis Ngannou and 2023 PFL heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira at the top of the card, it's guaranteed to be a big night either way. The card is stacked with three title fights and big names throughout.
We asked two leaders in MMA coverage, fansite MMA On Point and podcasters Fight Disciples to give us their thoughts on the card. Here's what they had to say.
Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira prediction
MMA On Point: It will be fascinating to see how Ngannou handles the height difference and it's hard not to wonder how the Anthony Joshua fight might play into his confidence even if that was in a different sport.
All that being said, it's really hard for me to pick against Ngannou with everything he's accomplished inside an MMA cage.
The version of him that showed up against Miocic and Gane affirmed him as the best heavyweight in the world, even with debilitating injuries. Ferreira's got crazy good KO power too, but I've gotta go with Ngannou on this one.
Cris Cyborg vs. Larissa Pacheco prediction
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MMA On Point: After everyone has essentially tapped Kayla Harrison as the next UFC bantamweight champion and Cyborg has really only lost to Amanda Nunes who is now retired, you could legitimately make a case that this fight is between the two best female fighters on the planet.
This is an outstanding fight. My money though, has to go on Cyborg. There's really only one loss since her debut in two decades.
We'll see if I'm right about that as fight night comes, Pacheco is as legit as they come, but I'm picking Cyborg.
Johnny Eblen vs. Fabian Edwards prediction
MMA On Point: This being a rematch, it's incredibly hard not to pick the undefeated, defending champion, who won the first fight.
He's shown he has the power to finish fights suddenly, but he's also got the ability to be dominant over the course of 25 minutes against some of the greatest martial artists this sport has ever seen like Gegard Mousasi when he won the title.
Edwards is an outstanding opponent regardless of the first fight, but he has struggled at the top of the division and I think Eblen will take the fight to him once again.
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Biggest reasons to watch PFL Battle of the Giants
MMA On Point: Ngannou is absolute must watch, he's perhaps the most inspiring fighter in MMA history with his harrowing story and ability to rise above circumstances, but he's also incredibly scary, even if he's up against a very hungry, absolutely gigantic (6'7) opponent.
Cyborg vs. Pacheco legitimately could be considered the top women's matchup in the world.
Cyborg simply has only lost since Amanda Nunes many years ago who is now retired and Pacheco took a dominant decision over Kayla Harrison, plus another tournament win. It's a great fight and a very meaningful one for women's MMA in 2024.
This is a stacked card. 3 title fights with proven talents and big draws in addition to popular former champs like AJ McKee and Raufeon Stots in barnburner matchups.
I firmly believe this is one of the best events we've seen outside the UFC since the Strikeforce days.
Fight Disciples: Francis Ngannou is back in MMA, he’s in a real fight against Renan Ferreira and it’s supported by the best female fight this year in all MMA.
If that’s not enough, AJ McKee vs. Paul Hughes is incredible matchmaking and a British fighter, Fabien Edwards, is having another go at what many people believe is the best middleweight outside the ufc.
Battle of the Giants Fight of the Night prediction
MMA On Point: AJ Mckee vs. Paul Hughes absolutely has to be my fight of the contender. Both men are proven finishers who like to really get into wild situations and can end it very quickly.
I could just as easily see this one ending early because of that, but something tells me their grit and heart will take this into deep waters and we'll see the roof come off the place.
Fight Disciples: Away from the main and co-main which I do believe steal the show the fight if the night will be that between AJ McKee and Paul Hughes.
Which fighter could steal the show in Riyadh?
MMA On Point: The entire world's eyes are on Ngannou's return to MMA after his dramatic exit from the UFC and everything that's happened since in boxing and beyond.
Without a doubt, this is Renan Ferreira's golden opportunity with the brightest lights imaginable and it would take him into the stratosphere.
Many people don't know him outside of hardcore MMA fanbase and that could dramatically change in just a few short days with a single win if done impressively.
Fight Disciples: There's many fighters that could steal the show but if Fabien Edwards can beat Jonny Eblen.
I don’t think there’s a bigger story in the card, especially for British MMA. Defeats for Cyborg and Francis might generate bigger noise with worldwide media but for me, they’re both in proper fights so that outcome isn’t unlikely.
Watch Ngannou vs. Ferreira on DAZN
Watch Francis Ngannou's return to the cage as he faces Renan Ferreira in the PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants tonight on DAZN Pay-Per-View worldwide.
The card also features Cris Cyborg against Larissa Pacheco for the women's featherweight world title.
The PPV is priced at £19.99 for UK viewers to watch on any device, including Smart TV's, game consoles, phones, tablets and PC's.
To purchase and find the prices in your region click here.
Purchasing the PPV includes a seven-day free trial of all of DAZN's programming across a range of sports.
More PFL
- Ngannou ready for PFL debut after years away from MMA
- Bellator middleweight world title rematch added to 'Battle of the Giants'
- PFL alternative viewing experience for Battle of the Giants with DAZN
- Jake Paul talks Jon Jones fighting the winner of Ngannou vs. Ferreira
- PFL announces launch of PFL Africa