Video highlights of the full fight between Francis Ngannou and Renan Ferreira

Francis Ngannou earned a commanding victory over Renan Ferreira in the PFL Battle of the Giants headliner on October 19, live from Mayadeen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In the heavyweight duel, the Cameroonian-French former UFC champion took on the PFL champion from Brazil.

The fight ended prematurely. After a leg kick, Ngannou knocked Ferreira down, escaped a triangle choke and finished him off with punches. Referee Dan Miragliotta stopped the fight at 3:32 of the first round.

In an emotional post-fight interview, Francis Ngannou paid tribute to his son Kobe. As for returning to MMA after two boxing losses to Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, the 38-year-old said there is no problem.

“As soon as I walked into the gym for MMA, I knew everything was still there,” Ngannou said. “It was just about dealing with my emotions and dealing with life.”

“I’m a mixed martial artist, so that means multidimensional. So that [taking Ferreira down and GNP] was definitely an option. [It was] not the only alternative, but since the opportunity was there, I was here to take whatever came my way and here we are.”

Speaking about his next step, Ngannou said it all depends on his life.

“I think my next step in martial arts depends entirely on me, how I feel and how I deal with my life at the moment. But other than that, I think I always thought I still had a lot to give in martial arts. Hopefully I’ll continue to think that way, I’ll keep that thought alive.”

Francis Ngannou improved to 18-3 and secured his seventh straight MMA victory. Renan Ferreira ended his four-fight winning streak, falling to 13-4, 3 NC.