RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – The countdown is on for one of the biggest MMA events of the year, PFL Battle of the Giants.
The main event is a huge one. After two years away from the cage, Francis Ngannou will make his PFL debut when he takes on Renan Ferreira for the organisation’s Super Fights heavyweight title.
While there will be plenty of interest in the main event, a stacked card will precede it, and it is one which MMA fans can watch live on DAZN.
Here are five reasons fans need to watch tonight’s must-see event.
'Expect fireworks inside the cage'
PFL
Those were the words of PFL CEO Peter Murray when he spoke to DAZN during fight week.
A lot of the attention will be placed on the heavyweight matchup between Ngannou and Ferreira, but that is just one of two title fights on the main card.
In the co-main, it’s an all-Brazilian affair between the legendary Cris Cyborg and rising star Larissa Pacheco who is a two-division champion in the PFL.
If that was not enough, there is a Bellator middleweight title rematch between Johnny Eblen and Fabian Edwards 13 months after they first fought. Eblen won the first meeting in Dublin by stoppage, and it is a classic revenge or repeat storyline which always lends itself perfectly to combat sports.
A Paul Hughes party?
PFL
Could there be a new breakout star for Irish MMA?
After making his Bellator debut in June with a win over Bobby King, he has been thrown into the deep end in Riyadh against the experienced AJ McKee who is ranked within the top 10 of the sport’s best lightweights.
Ahead of the fight, Hughes spoke to DAZN about how this fight could launch his career into the stratosphere.
“I knew when I was signing to the PFL, it was the right decision,” Hughes said.
“I knew these big pay-per-views were around the corner, I believe I am a pretty entertaining fighter. I knew that if they were doing these huge showcase cards that I’d be a frontrunner and here I am.”
If Hughes gets the victory over someone of McKee’s calibre, a new era of Irish MMA will be ushered in.
Ibragim Ibragimov ‘the one to watch’ claims Dan Hardy
PFL
Tonight’s card is the biggest event PFL have staged to date, and PFL Europe Head of Fighter Operations Dan Hardy is urging fans to keep an eye on undefeated featherweight Ibragim Ibragimov (7-0-0).
Fighting on the prelims, there is a lot of excitement surrounding the 20-year-old and Hardy explained to DAZN why he is a special talent.
“He was fantastic in Newcastle for PFL Europe, his brothers play for Manchester United, he’s just an all-round superstar in the making, undefeated.
“He’s got another undefeated fighter in front of him in Nacho Campos, but he’s got another undefeated fighter in front of him in the form of Nacho Campos.
“He’s a special talent, he’s definitely worth keeping an eye on.”
A passing of the torch moment for Brazilian MMA?
PFL
The co-main event at Battle of the Giants is one which carries a lot of implications for not just Brazilian MMA, but also for women’s MMA in general.
At 39 years old, Cris Cyborg has won titles across the four major MMA organisations. The only one missing from her collection is the PFL Super Fights women’s featherweight belt.
Standing in her way is countrywoman Larissa Pacheco who is the first ever two-division PFL women’s champion.
Expect the striking ability of both Cyborg and Pacheco to be a deciding factor in this contest, and if the latter can topple a legend of the sport, there will be a new face for women’s MMA.
Renan Ferreira’s chance to announce himself on the world stage
PFL
The spotlight will be on Francis Ngannou when he enters the PFL SmartCage this evening, but this bout could launch Renan Ferreira into the minds of the wider sporting world.
Unless you are a hardcore MMA fan, Ferreira’s name will not resonate with the casual sports punter due to him not competing in the UFC.
It is unfortunate with the Brazilian being a must-watch operator at heavyweight and is arguably entering the peak of his career at 34 years of age.
He has amassed a four-fight knockout streak which saw him claim the 2023 PFL heavyweight title, and beat Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader in February.
If he shocks the MMA world with a win over Ngannou, the world will certainly know his name come the final bell after toppling the sport’s lineal heavyweight champion.
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 this Saturday on DAZN Pay-Per-View.
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