Francis Ngannou secured a first-round knockout victory over Renan Ferreira at the Professional Fighters League (PFL) “Battle of the Giants” event. In an emotional and triumphant return to mixed martial arts, Ngannou dedicated the win to his late son Kobe, who tragically passed away earlier this year.
A Powerful Comeback
Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion, made his highly anticipated return to the cage following a brief stint in boxing, where he faced Anthony Joshua in March. The Cameroonian fighter wasted no time taking control of the fight, delivering powerful kicks early on before dragging Ferreira to the mat. From there, Ngannou unleashed a barrage of punches that ended the fight with 88 seconds remaining in the opening round.
An Emotional Tribute
The victory marked a significant moment for Ngannou, who fought through personal tragedy to step back into the octagon. In his post-fight interview, the 38-year-old was visibly tearful, reflecting on the emotional toll of losing his son Kobe, who was just 15 months old at the time of his passing.
“The past two days were very tough, full of emotion,” Ngannou said. “I couldn’t do anything without thinking about it [Kobe’s passing]. I tried to stay strong and tell myself to do everything to keep moving but it’s hard. It’s just hard. I only did this fight because of him.”
Ngannou, who rose from childhood poverty in Cameroon to become one of the most feared fighters in MMA, expressed that his return to the sport was deeply tied to his late son’s memory. “I wanted to fight for him… I hope they can remember his name, because without Kobe, we wouldn’t be here tonight, I wouldn’t have fought. Thank you everyone for coming,” he added.
A Super Fight Showcase
The bout was part of a special “super fight” event, diverging from the PFL’s usual regular-season and playoff structure to create a high-stakes occasion for Ngannou’s return. The victory over Ferreira bolstered Ngannou’s reputation as one of the world’s top heavyweights, while also adding a personal and poignant layer to his fighting career.
Ngannou’s transition to the PFL followed his high-profile boxing matches against Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, which occurred after his UFC contract expired. His move to the PFL has been seen as a significant boost for the league in its ongoing competition with the UFC.
Elsewhere in the evening, the co-main event saw Brazilians Cris Cyborg and Larissa Pacheco face off for the PFL Super Fights women’s featherweight title. The experienced Cyborg emerged victorious after five hard-fought rounds, winning by unanimous decision to secure another featherweight belt in her storied career.
Francis Ngannou’s victory, however, was the emotional highlight of the night. His ability to rise above personal grief to dominate the fight reaffirmed his status as a beloved and resilient champion. For Ngannou, this win was not just another step in his career, but a deeply personal tribute to the son he lost too soon.
