Francis Ngannou and  Renan Ferreira are set to clash at PFL’s biggest PPV offering yet and we already know a lot about Ngannou, his career, and his early life. However, his opponent, too, has had lots of ups and downs in life. ‘Problema,’ the 2023 PFL heavyweight tournament champion, did not start at the top and had to build his way into the world of MMA.

Starting from his hometown Brazil, pursuing a difficult career before MMA, and then coming into MMA was a rollercoaster ride. So let’s see how the champ did it!

What is Renan Ferreira’s ethnicity and nationality?

Thalles Renan Ferreira was born on 23 November 1989 in Porangatu, Goiás, Brazil. Renowned for his imposing stature at 6’8″ and weighing nearly 260 lbs, the PFL heavyweight star has always commanded attention. Before embarking on his professional MMA career, the 33-year-old worked as a private security guard and a construction worker. His journey into MMA began in 2013 when he started training in Jiu-Jitsu at a community-based martial arts program in Brasilia.

After 3 long years, he moved to Rio de Janeiro and finally left his previous job to exclusively focus on MMA. Ferreira’s move to the country’s capital was a turning point in his career and he trained in MMA with legends like the Nogueira brothers. ‘Problema’ also got the opportunity to take tips from former UFC legends like Jacare Souza and Junior dos Santos.

Despite his impressive 13-3-0 MMA record, the Brazilian’s journey has been anything but straightforward. In interviews with Mirror Fighting, he has opened up about his decision to leave his previous job to pursue MMA. However, his early life and childhood were marked by significant challenges.

Renan Ferreira’s early life- What did he do before MMA?

Renan Ferreira’s upbringing in Brazil was tumultuous. His childhood was marred by a lot of financial struggles and this had made him fiercely hardworking. Ferreira, a driven and determined individual, entered the world of MMA not only for the thrill of combat but also as a means to improve his life circumstances.

His journey began in 2013, and he quickly gained recognition for his powerful knockout abilities. In 2019, he joined the Legacy Fighting Alliance, where his performances caught the attention of the Professional Fighters League (PFL). Ferreira’s move to the PFL provided him with the opportunity for greater exposure and financial rewards.

In his time at PFL, the Brazilian juggernaut has only suffered one loss and has been on a roll with winning the 2023 PFL heavyweight tournament. Now he is set to face Francis Ngannou who is probably going to be his toughest challenge yet. Are you excited for the fight? Tell us in the comments below.