Brett Okamoto, an ESPN Staff Writer, reported that Renan Ferreira emerged as a strong contender in the world of mixed martial arts after knocking out Bellator MMA heavyweight champion Ryan Bader in just 21 seconds at the PFL vs. Bellator pay-per-view event in Saudi Arabia. Ferreira’s impressive win marked his fourth consecutive victory by knockout, with three of them coming in the first round. His dominant performance caught the attention of many, including UFC fighter Francis Ngannou, who was present cageside during the main event.
Ngannou, who is set to compete in professional boxing against former heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua, expressed his desire to return to MMA with the PFL and potentially face the winner of the Ferreira vs. Bader matchup. Ferreira, a skilled fighter from Brazil training at American Top Team, made a strong statement by claiming a “Super Belt” and showcasing his knockout ability once again.
Despite his loss, Bader, a former Bellator two-weight champion, has had a successful career and faced tough opponents like Vadim Nemkov and Corey Anderson. The event also saw other Bellator champions triumph over PFL fighters, highlighting the competitive nature of the sport.
Overall, Ferreira’s victory at the PFL vs. Bellator event solidified his status as a top contender in the MMA scene and set the stage for a potential showdown with Ngannou in the future.
