Francis Ngannou’s emotional journey during fight week was captured in a way never seen before.
The former UFC heavyweight champion, now holding the PFL superfights title, made his debut at the Battle of the Giants event in Saudi Arabia earlier this month. Ngannou dominated his opponent Renan Ferreira with a quick first-round victory, showcasing his brutal ground and pound skills. This fight marked his return to MMA since defending the UFC heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 in January.
Ngannou’s performance was fueled by intense emotions, as he fought with a heavy heart following the tragic loss of his 15-month-old son Kobe in April. An exclusive behind-the-scenes video shared on his YouTube channel captured the raw emotion and motivation driving Ngannou during this fight. Watch the video above to witness his journey.
After parting ways with the UFC and relinquishing his heavyweight title, Ngannou signed with the PFL. However, he did not compete for the promotion until the recent Battle of the Giants event. During this hiatus, Ngannou also ventured into boxing, facing off against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, albeit with less success in those matches.