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MMA’s heavyweight king is back.
On Saturday night, the former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou returned to the MMA cage for the first time in two years after taking a brief detour in boxing to take on the 6^8 Renan Ferreira.
Despite the size difference, Ngannou was able to take down Ferreira and finished his opponent via ground and pound in the first round.
FRANCIS NGANNOU GETS THE FIRST ROUND KNOCKOUT!!!!!#PFLSuperFights #MMApic.twitter.com/C3mEOq5xxg
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) October 19, 2024
After the fight, an extremely emotional Ngannou was crying in the cage and went on to dedicate his win to his late 15-month-old son, who passed away earlier this year.
Francis Ngannou is really emotional after winning for Kobe, his 15 month old son who passed away this year ❤️
— ACD MMA (@acdmma_) October 19, 2024
Francis Ngannou: “I can’t think of anything but my son Kobe. I took this fight because of him, I wanted to fight for him.”
“Without Kobe, we wouldn’t be here tonight. I hope they can remember his name.” #PFLSuperFights
❤️
— ACD MMA (@acdmma_) October 19, 2024