Yesterday, in the Mayadeen Arena in Riyadh, former heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, who has overcome numerous challenges lately, silenced the critics who questioned his victory in his first PFL fight. Many critics, including Jon Jones, had claimed, “Ferreira would beat him.” However, ‘The Predator’ turned all the predictions upside down when he took down the 6’8″ Brazilian prospect Renan Ferreira in his PFL debut in an explosive fashion.

This return was not easy, as he had already endured several tough losses in boxing matches during his brief stint in the sport after parting ways with the UFC. Tragically, earlier this year, he suffered the devastating loss of his 15-year-old son, Kobe, due to brain malformation.

Despite all these challenges, Francis Ngannou made a remarkable comeback yesterday, showcasing his old predatory style. This fact is worthy of a biopic, a sentiment recently echoed by ‘The Predator’s’ coach, Eric Nicksick, who emphasized the importance of his journey.

Eric Nicksick reflects on Francis Ngannou’s grueling journey

Cameroonian sensation Francis Ngannou loves two things in his life: his “freedom rather than money” and his son. When these two things were threatened, he fought back hard, culminating in an impressive display yesterday. In the wake of his son’s sudden passing, Ngannou dominated the cage when he knocked out Ferreira cold in the first round.

However, things leading up to that moment were quite different, as ‘The Predator’ was battling self-doubt, a fact recently revealed by his coach, Eric Nicksick, while speaking to MMA Junkie. The coach stated, “I never questioned him, but I know he was questioning himself all the way, even up to the day of the fight. I know that he carried a different type of weight with him, and all I told him was, ‘There’s no other person in the world that I’ve ever met who has the courage and resiliency that you have. If there’s anybody who can get through some sort of adversity, it’s going to be you.'”

The 38-year-old Ngannou has faced significant challenges following the loss of his son, but he is now resolute in his goal to excel in the MMA world again—this time in the PFL. He aims to demonstrate his explosive talent and transform the narrative surrounding his previous defeats among his rivals.

Jon Jones changes his tune on Francis Ngannou after his knockout win

Despite the odds makers’ predictions, Francis Ngannou remained the underdog before the conclusion of the PFL Battle of the Giants against the 6’8″ Renan Ferreira. Many notable names, including Chael Sonnen, Jon Jones, and recently Conor McGregor, even bet on ‘The Predator’ losing by knockout, with McGregor wagering $500,000 to potentially earn a lucrative return of $1.7 million.

However, Francis Ngannou silenced his critics by sending Ferreira into the shadow realm in just one round, earning appreciation from the MMA community, including UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones. ‘Bones’ who was once on the verge of facing ‘The Predator’ before fate intervened and the fight never materialized, couldn’t help but praise Ngannou’s explosive performance. He stated, “What an amazing job Francis did tonight. He displayed a complete MMA game: great kicks, and great takedowns. It feels good to see him shine. Wow, congratulations, champ, I see you.”

What’s your take on Francis Ngannou’s performance against Renan Ferreira? Do you think his impressive display against a fighter as formidable as Ferreira marks a significant milestone in his MMA career, possibly eclipsing his victories in the UFC heavyweight division? Drop your opinion below.