Francis Ngannou believes Renan Ferreira offers "a better challenge" than every MMA star he has fought before, ahead of PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants live on DAZN.
The French-Cameroonian fighter will face the Brazilian in his first trip into the cage for nearly three years, atop a stacked fight card at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh.
Across his career, Ngannou has crossed paths with some of the most impressive martial artists of the modern era, including Stipe Miocic, Ciryl Gane and Junior dos Santos.
| Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira | Heavyweight world title |
| Cris Cyborg vs. Larissa Pacheco | Women's featherweight world title |
| Johnny Eblen vs. Fabian Edwards | Bellator middleweight world title |
| Husein Kadimagomaev vs. Zafar Mohsen | Featherweight |
| AJ McKee vs. Paul Hughes | Lightweight |
| Raufeon Stots vs. Marcos Breno | Bantamweight |
| Makkasharip Zaynukov vs. Dedrek Sanders | Lightweight |
| Ibragim Ibragimov vs. Nacho Campos | Featherweight |
| Mostafa Rashed Nada vs. Ahmed Sami | Middleweight |
| Tariq Ismail vs. Taha Bendaoud | Featherweight |
But against them, Ferreira offers a new level of difficulty, with the 38-year-old suggesting as such when asked where he ranks among his foes historically.
"[I think he is] at the very top," he told DAZN. "I think he is bringing a better challenge than almost all of my other opponents, as far as his skills and athleticism [are concerned].
"I think as far as talent, he is way above most of my fighters. Maybe [he is] less experienced than some, but [he is] more talented."
Ferreira is certainly among the most formidable foes that Ngannou will have contended with across his professional career, having faced some of the UFC's biggest names too.
The 34-year-old measurs 6' 8" and has already seen off some of the sport's modern-day superstars, with three first-round victories in his last four bouts.
That included a ruthless win over Ryan Bader in his last outing, the PFL vs. Bellator event in February, with a technical knockout via punches.
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.
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- 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