Whether it’s stepping into the Octagon or placing colossal bets, Conor McGregor is no stranger to risk! The MMA sphere is waiting for his return to the cage with recent chatters swirling about a potential date in February 2025 against Dan Hooker. But recently, the Irishman faced a setback and may have fallen victim to the infamous ‘Drake Curse’. What happened?

In a high-stakes move, McGregor placed a large wager on the outcome of Francis Ngannou’s return to MMA against Renan Ferreira at PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants. But sometimes, even the boldest gambles don’t pay off and this time, ‘The Notorious’ found himself on the losing end.

Francis Ngannou shatters Conor McGregor’s dreams of a $1.7 million payout with a brutal finish of Renan Ferreira  

After his last fight at UFC 270 against Ciryl Gane in 2022, Francis Ngannou returned to the cage under the PFL banner to take on Renan Ferreira. The towering Brazilian was no match for Ngannou, who reminded the world why he’s considered one of the most dangerous fighters on the planet. Despite Ferreira’s height advantage, standing at a towering 6’8, Ngannou wasted no time in asserting his dominance.

Bouncing back from his brutal knockout loss against Anthony Joshua in the squared circle earlier this year, ‘The Predator’ took just one round to dismantle Ferreira. Something that Conor McGregor couldn’t have predicted! Before the fight, McGregor had shared on social media, “Tonight’s bet for me. 500 k on Ferreira to win by KO at 12/5 $1.7m return”

Unfortunately for McGregor, his faith in Ferreira didn’t pay off. From the opening bell, Ngannou took control. He slammed Ferreira to the mat and unleashed a ferocious ground-and-pound attack. As the fight was stopped, Ngannou secured his first win in PFL, leaving McGregor’s hopes — and his hefty bet — in ruins.

Surprisingly, in true McGregor fashion, the Irishman further posted, “The Rich Get Richer, I’ll Get That Back.” It’s clear that the Irishman isn’t sweating the loss, confident that his next big move will bring him back on top. But for Francis Ngannou, this win was about more than just getting back in the win column as he made an emotional dedication to the reason why he chose this fight in a heartfelt post-fight interview.

Ngannou dedicates his win to the memory of his son

Francis Ngannou’s return to the cage wasn’t just about victory. It was personal. The former UFC heavyweight champion returned to MMA after a brief stint in boxing with one mission, to honor the memory of his late son, Kobe. When interviewed after the win over Ferreira, the Cameroonian was visibly emotional and stated, “I can’t think about anything other than my son Kobe, I only took this fight because of him and I’m done. I hope they can remember his name because, without Kobe, we wouldn’t be here tonight and I wouldn’t have fought… I just want to say, please remember my son, remember my son Kobe. I dedicate this to him, this is to Kobe.”

Ngannou also took a moment to thank Saudi Arabia and the city of Riyadh for their hospitality, describing the people as “lovely and supportive.” But this victory wasn’t just about the support he received. ‘The Predator’ acknowledged his team, expressing gratitude for those who stood by him during his intense training camp. He mentioned how he had taken his team away from their families for nearly two months to help him chase what he called his “crazy dream.”

For now, Conor McGregor may have lost a bet, but Ngannou’s victory carried far more weight than any payout could. With this emotional win behind him, the question now becomes- what’s next for Francis Ngannou? Will he continue his MMA journey with the PFL, or will he once again step into the boxing ring to chase redemption there? Let us know what you think in the comments below!