The fight scheduled for Saturday between Francis Ngannou and Renan Ferreira constitutes “the biggest event in the history of the PFL”, according to Peter Murray, general director of the young mixed martial arts (MMA) organization, which aims to compete with the UFC, the benchmark league.
Saturday October 19, Riyadh will be the scene of a fight eagerly awaited by MMA fans:
Francis Ngannou, nicknamed the “Predator”, will face Brazilian Renan Ferreira in what is billed as “the biggest event in the history of the Professional Fighters League (PFL)”. It was in these terms that Peter Murray, general director of the organization, presented the poster.
This shock effected, in fact, not only the return of Ngannou in an MMA cage after almost three years of absence, but also constitutes a key step for the PFL, a rising organization which hopes to compete with the UFC, the undisputed leader of the sector.
A long-awaited return
True heavyweight star Francis Ngannou left the UFC in 2023 after a dispute over his contract terms. Recruited by the PFL, he made his return to the world of MMA, not without first having made a notable foray into the world of English boxing. His fight against Renan Ferreira, a formidable opponent due to his impressive stature (2.03 m) and his background, promises to be extremely competitive. “It’s a real 50/50,” said Peter Murray, PFL general manager.
“It’s a fight that everyone is waiting for, because Renan deserved his place, and the return of Francis is a strong moment for our organization.” The choice of Riyadh to host this clash also illustrates the PFL’s ambitions to establish itself on the world stage, by diversifying its organizational locations and capitalizing on Ngannou’s popularity to attract a large audience.
The rise of the PFL
Founded in 2017, the Professional Fighters League has sought since its beginnings to stand out through a unique model, where fighters play in regional leagues and can more easily plan their careers. Unlike the UFC, which has dominated the MMA industry since the 1990s, the PFL highlights its distinct competitive format and commitment to athletes. “We are a warfighter-centered organization.
With our league format, athletes know when and who they are competing against, which allows them to better manage their careers,” explains Peter Murray. This approach seems to have appealed to several MMA stars, including Ngannou, who joined the PFL after feeling that this structure offered him better conditions than the UFC. The PFL did not hesitate to take out the checkbook to attract emblematic figures of the sport, notably the Frenchman Cédric Doumbé, another flagship recruit of the organization.
A duel with the UFC in perspective?
Despite these advances, the UFC still remains well ahead in terms of awareness and market share, with around 90% of revenues generated by MMA on a global scale. Its events, broadcast around the world, attract millions of fans and benefit from sophisticated production, with iconic fighters such as Jon Jones, Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov. Far from hiding it, Donn Davis, president of the PFL, recognizes the domination of the UFC, while affirming that the PFL is organizing “the biggest event” of the year with the return of Ngannou.
However, experts are more cautious about the possibility of seeing the PFL truly compete with the UFC in the short term. “The PFL is still very, very far from the UFC,” analyzes Chris Genachte, former MMA coach and commentator.
According to him, the PFL’s strategy of outbidding fighters’ salaries clearly shows that it still lacks the brand power to attract the biggest stars, despite undeniable progress, such as the acquisition of Bellator at the end of 2023.
A promising but uncertain future
The PFL makes no secret of its international ambitions, with the planned launch of several regional leagues, including PFL Africa in 2025 and PFL Australia in 2026. If the organization manages to keep its promises, it could ultimately become a serious rival for the UFC, offering an attractive alternative for fighters and fans around the world.
For now, Saturday’s fight in Riyadh could well mark a decisive turning point for the PFL, with Francis Ngannou spearheading this battle for supremacy in the world of MMA.
Sami Nemli / ECO Inspirations
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