Yesterday in Saudi Arabia at the PFL ‘Battle of the Giants,’ former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou demonstrated why 2023 PFL heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira is “not elite,” as previously stated by Tom Aspinall. ‘The Predator’ proved this point when he knocked Ferreira out cold in the first round, by battering him on the canvas with powerful blows.

This victory not only silenced Ngannou’s critics but also opened the door for his future in the Professional Fighting League. However, it raised a significant question in fans’ minds: who will be next to face the Cameroonian after he derailed Ferreira? This inquiry was recently explored by fighter-turned-analyst Michael Bisping.

Michael Bisping discusses Francis Ngannou’s future in the PFL

Francis Ngannou is widely being claimed as ‘the baddest man on the planet’ after his dominance last night in Riyadh. His name now stands alongside UFC heavyweight king Jon Jones and interim champion Tom Aspinall, both recognized as elite competitors in the heavyweight division. These fighters, along with several others, have become prominent figures in the MMA landscape, and showcase fierce talent.

However, in the PFL, the heavyweight division doesn’t offer the same level of competition. This concern has become even more apparent since ‘The Predator’ joined the PFL, raising questions about whether he will find opponents who can truly match his skill level. This sentiment was echoed by Michael Bisping on his YouTube channel, who pondered the future of Francis Ngannou in the promotion.

“The question is: What’s next?” Bisping asked. “Who is there next? There’s nobody in the PFL’s heavyweight division. That’s not Francis’s fault. The fact that Ferreira isn’t elite isn’t his fault. You can only fight the opponents presented to you, and that was the PFL heavyweight champion.”

Bisping further appreciated Ngannou’s determination to navigate the challenges he faced in his recent journey, where he proved himself once again. However, is this win enough to help him cope with the grief of losing his son?

Will ‘The Predator’ heal from his enduring pain?

There’s a well-known saying, “There is no heavier burden than the body of a dead child.” For a father, a lifetime may not be enough to overcome such grief. A man can only find solace in himself, as Francis Ngannou told Joe Rogan on his podcast (JRE MMA Show #160), “At least whenever I did, I am going to see my kid.”

However, these self-affirming words often fade away when reality hits you. This was true for PFL heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou, who struggled to hold back his emotions after his sensational win over Renan Ferreira. During the post-fight conference, Ngannou expressed his sorrow, stating, “They’ve been telling me I’m tough to the point where I think I’m tough—but I recently just found out I wasn’t tough. I wasn’t that tough. Life can let you take events and think you’re running away, and then it hits you really hard from the front. It’s something that I never imagined. I never knew how I would feel.”

As ‘The Predator’ struggled to form words in his mouth after an overwhelming fight camp, he was consoled and supported by his team and also by the Riyadh crowd. He dedicated this win to his son Kobe and promised to keep fighting while aiming to register his child’s name in the annals of immortality.

What’s your take on Michael Bisping’s claims? Do you think Ngannou lacks worthy opponents in the PFL to truly challenge him? Should he remain in the PFL or explore opportunities in another promotion? Drop your opinion below.