PFL: Recap - full predictions for Battle of Giants

We're a few days away, and PFL: Battle of the Giants is lined up with exciting fights this weekend.

Getty images, licensed to MMAWork.com (October 2024)

The stage is finally set this weekend for PFL: Battle of the Giants, featuring Francis Ngannou and Renan Ferreira in the main event. Ngannou returns to PFL MMA after nearly two years of focusing primarily on his boxing career — his last fight ending in a devastating knockout loss to top contender Anthony Joshua.

The slightly lesser known - but arguably equally hard-hitting - Renan Ferreira returns after his impressive TKO victory over Ryan Bader in the first round, back in February 2024. With his last four fights all ending in finishes, this main event all but promises an early-round finish. A KO/TKO should be a fairly safe bet.

PFL recently started publishing videos of Ngannou’s preparations ahead of the fight. Ngannou reveals that he is motivated by a deep personal purpose, following the recent tragic loss of his son, Kobe.

Embedded from PFL's Youtube channel (October 2024)

While the main event is understandably generating the most interest among the fans, the fight card also features an intriguing co-main event between Cris Cyborg and Larissa Pacheco. Cyborg - obviously one of the most dominant fighters in women’s MMA, returns after a 1-year hiatus to defend her legend status.

Pacheco, with an extremely impressive record of 23 wins and 4 losses, aims to put a final end to Cyborg's career. With the former having won her last 10 fights - the majority being finishes - the fight should be very interesting for all fans of women's MMA.

PFL has posted a video from Cyborg's preparations ahead of the fight, in which Cyborg pushes herself to the limit as she tries to capture an historic 5th world title from a major MMA promotion.

The full card is available below. We've added our full predictions, and will be covering the event in full.

Event: PFL Battle of the Giants

Date: 19 October 2024

Location: The Mayadeen (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)

MAIN CARD (ESPN and DAZN at 4 p.m. ET)

Francis Ngannou (17 - 3 - 0) vs. Renan Ferreira (13 - 3 - 0)

• We predict: Francis Ngannou wins by KO/TKO in Round 2

Cris Cyborg (27 - 2 - 0) vs. Larissa Pacheco (22 - 4 - 0)

• We predict: Cris Cyborg wins by unanimous decision

Johnny Eblen (15 - 0 - 0) vs. Fabian Edwards (13 - 3 - 0) – for Bellator middleweight title

• We predict: Johnny Eblen wins by submission in Round 3

Husein Kadimagomaev (8 - 1 - 0) vs. Zafar Mohsen (13 - 4 - 0)

• We predict: Husein Kadimagomaev wins by KO/TKO in Round 1

A.J. McKee (22 - 1 - 0) vs. Paul Hughes (12 - 1 - 0)

• We predict: A.J. McKee wins by KO/TKO in Round 2

PRELIMINARY CARD (1:30 p.m. ET)

Marcos Breno (15 - 3 - 0) vs. Raufeon Stots (20 - 2 - 0)

• We predict: Raufeon Stots wins by unanimous decision

Dedrek Sanders (9 - 4 - 0) vs. Makkasharip Zaynukov (15 - 4 - 0)

• We predict: Makkasharip Zaynukov wins by submission in Round 2

Nacho Campos (5 - 0 - 0) vs. Ibragim Ibragimov (5 - 2 - 0)

• We predict: Nacho Campos wins by KO/TKO in Round 1

Mostafa Nada (9 - 3 - 0) vs. Ahmed Sam (11 - 4 - 0)

• We predict: Ahmed Sami wins by submission in Round 3

Youssef Al Housani (4 - 1 - 0) vs. Taha Bendaoud (3 - 0 - 0)

• We predict: Taha Bendaoud wins by unanimous decision