Renan Ferreira didn’t waste time cashing in his ticket for a future big payday in a massive showdown against Francis Ngannou.
With just one fight left on the PFL vs. Bellator: Champions at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the PFL side needed to pick up a victory as Bellator was running a clean sweep on the tally of bragging rights between promotions.
Ferreira (13-3) provided what the PFL needed in the blink of an eye by finishing Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader in just 13 seconds in the main event.
Beyond taking home a shiny new belt with a championship ring embedded in it, the winner of the fight would lay claim to the first opponent to face Ngannou in the PFL cage.
Ferreira claimed that spot quickly, by sparking Bader (31-8) with a hard right hand in an opening exchange. Bader fell to the canvas and Ferreira capitalized by raining hammerfists until the referee rushed in.
OH MY WORD 🤯
Renan Ferreira stops Ryan Bader in less than 30 seconds 🌬#PFLvsBellator | Live on DAZN pic.twitter.com/dnZOJ7Ntuw
— DAZN MMA (@daznmma) February 24, 2024
During his post-fight interview, Ferriera turned his attention to Ngannou, who was watching cageside. The former UFC champion will face the towering 6-foot-8 Brazilian when he returns to the MMA cage after facing Anthony Joshua in the boxing ring on March 8.
“Francis, where you at?” Ferreira said through an interpreter. “I’m waiting for you, let’s do this. I’m the champion out here!”
When Ngannou signed with PFL, part of his deal ensured his opponent would receive a minimum $2 million purse, meaning Ferreira is in for a large payday when the fight takes place in the near future.
Up-to-the-minute results of PFL vs. Bellator: Champions include:
- Renan Ferreira def. Ryan Bader via TKO (punches) – Round 1,
- Johnny Eblen def. Impa Kasanganay via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Jason Jackson def. Ray Cooper III via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 0:23
- Vadim Nemkov def. Bruno Cappelozza via technical submission (arm triangle) – Round 2, 2:13
- Yoel Romero def. Thiago Santos via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- A.J. McKee def. Clay Collard via submission (triangle armbar) – Round 1, 1:10
- Aaron Pico def. Henry Corrales via TKO (elbows) – Round 1, 4:53
- Biaggio Ali Walsh def. Emmanuel Palacio via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Claressa Shields def. Kelsey DeSantis via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Abdullah Al-Qahtani def. Edukondala Rao via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 0:23
- Malik Basahel def. Vinicius Pereira via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL vs. Bellator: Champions.
