Francis Ngannou vs Renan Ferreira LIVE: Start time and round-by-round updates as ‘The Predator’ makes PFL debut after two-year hiatus from MMA

Leon Edwards – former UFC welterweight champion – is cornering his brother Fabian this evening and you can hear his instructions bellowing out around The Mayadeen. Whether or not Fabian is able to process what he’s saying, as he battles away with Eblen, is another story.

Edwards lands a nice counter early in the second but Eblen’s wrestling is proving to be a real problem as he relentlessly pursues the takedown and gets it.

This is a gruelling fight thus far as Eblen imposes his will and refuses to give Edwards the space that he needs to get his striking going.

The Briton finally has some separation in the final minute but Eblen is no slouch in the striking department and has another round in the bag.

Mail Sport score card: Johnny Eblen 10 (20)-(18) 9 Fabian Edwards

Strong start from both fighters here as they jockey for position in the centre of the cage.

Edwards appears to be attempting to set up an uppercut as the former collegiate wrestler Eblen attempts to shoot in for a takedown.

Eblen charges forward and pushes his opponent against the fence but Edwards is able to find his way back into striking distance.

This time he is able to get Edwards to the mat however, and his advantage in the wrestling department is clear as the first round comes to an end.

Mail Sport score card: Johnny Eblen 10-9 Fabian Edwards

The Bellator middleweight title is on the line in our next fight as Johnny Eblen and Fabian Edwards meet inside the cage once again.

Edwards, younger brother of former UFC champion Leon, suffered his third career defeat when Eblen knocked him out last year.

The British fighter will be determined to secure revenge here but he will need to become the first man to defeat Eblen if he is to become the second world champion in his family.

That wasn’t the most exciting bout between Kadimagomaev and Mohsen but that’s what you get when two evenly matched fighters meet inside the cage. Now, onto the first of tonight’s three title fights…

Our second main card fight of the evening results in the second decision but there is no contention here.

Mohsen absolutely dominated this fight and never looked to be in any real danger throughout.

It has to be said however, that the slow pace of the fight is unlikely to win either man many fans on what was the biggest showcase of their respective careers.

This fight has been crying out for some action and Mohsen looks the more likely to provide it as he starts aggresively.

Again though the pair find themselves locked in a stalemate as Kadimagomaev attempts in vain to secure a takedown against the fence as Mohsen defends well.

Mohsen ends the round with dominant top position and will almost certainly have done enough to get the nod.

Mail Sport scorecard: Husein Kadimagomaev 9 (27)-(30) 10 Zafar Mohsen

Both of these guys are accomplished grapplers but Mohsen appears to have the edge when the fight hits the mat thus far.

Often dominant grapplers are described as being deceptively strong.

It’s probably fair to say that moniker does not apply to the German Mohsen who wouldn’t look out of place in a bodybuilding competition with his muscle-bound frame.

Kadimagomaev opens up a cut on his opponent with an elbow in close but he needs to be more active as this fight continues.

Mail Sport scorecard: Husein Kadimagomaev 9 (18)-(20) 10 Zafar Mohsen

The final non-title fight of tonight’s card sees Husein Kadimagomaev take on Zafar Mohsen in a featherweight bout.

While both of these guys may not be household names, even to hardcore MMA fans, rest assured they are prepared to put on a show…

Following a tentative start from both fighters, Kadimagomaev secures an early takedown and immediately sets about attempting to secure a dominant position but Mohsen does well to get back to his feet.

The Judoka Mohsen responds by landing a takedown of his own in what has been a largely quiet opening round.

Mail Sport scorecard: Husein Kadimagomaev 9-10 Zafar Mohsen

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has become a consistent feature at big fights since his move to the Saudi Pro League and tonight is no different.

Although judging by the mixed response from the crowd it seems like not everyone here is an Al-Nassr fan…

There’s a reason they call him ‘Big News’ Paul Hughes. What a performance that was in just his second PFL outing. AJ McKee is a formidable opponent but he made it look somewhat easy inside the cage. The Irishman is certainly one to keep an eye out for in 2025.

After an exciting start to tonight’s main card we go to the judges’ scorecards for a decision.

The judges are split but Paul Hughes gets the nod via decision to secure the biggest win of his career.

Surprised to see one of the judges go in favour of McKee, he was relentless in his pursuit of the takedown but rarely enjoyed any real ground control throughout the fight.

In any case, Hughes is delighted to extend his win streak to seven as he sets his sights on a clash with Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagodemov.

If Paul Hughes can continue his control of this fight you have to think he is en route to the biggest win of his young career.

Seemingly having the same realisation, McKee starts aggressively and again goes hunting for a takedown but Hughes again manages to scramble into top position.

Who said European fighters couldn’t wrestle?

Hughes’ striking really is special. He continues to drive forward as McKee looks exhausted from attempting so many takedowns.

McKee finally secures a takedown but it is too little too late, and Hughes puts an exclamation mark on an impressive performance with some strong strikes before the final bell.

Mail Sport scorecard: AJ McKee 9 (27)-(30) 10 Paul Hughes

Cristiano Ronaldo gets a decidely mixed reception as he is shown in attendance on the big screen between rounds.

Hughes looks to build on his momentum with a high kick to open the second but McKee does well to block it.

As Hughes looks to set up his strikes McKee is doing a good job at stifling him thus far in the second, using the oblique kick to the Irishman’s knee to good effect.

After landing a hard left hook Hughes gets overzealous in search of the finish allowing McKee and entry to a takedown but he doesn’t do much with his control.

Mail Sport scorecard: AJ McKee 9 (18)-(20) 10 Paul Hughes

One of the biggest rising stars in Irish MMA, Paul Hughes has quickly earned a reputation as one to watch inside the cage.

With just one blemish on his 13 fight tenure as a professional, Hughes has the potential to become just the latest star to emerge from the Emerald Isle.

Standing across from him tonight however, is undoubtly the toughest test of his career in the form of former Bellator featherweight champion AJ McKee.

A quick rendition of the Saudi Arabia national anthem rings out inside The Mayadeen ahead of the main card starting. There’s a huge cheer from the crowd as it comes to an end, with the excitement inside the arena palpable.

When Francis Ngannou confirmed he would be departing the UFC as the promotion’s reigning heavyweight champion, few could have predicted just how impactful his time away from the Octagon would be.

Despite having never competed in professional boxing, the Predator’s first assignment saw him take on then heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in a 10-round non-title clash last October.

Viewed as little more than a freakshow fight by many observers, Ngannou quickly earned his Fury’s respect inside the ring, dropping the Briton to the canvas in the third-round with a perfectly-timed left hook.

Fury would ultimately, albeit controversially, get the nod on the judges’ scorecards, but Ngannou had proven he was capable of stepping up with boxing’s elite.

A clash with Anthony Joshua in May proved to be a bridge too far for Ngannou as he suffered a brutal KO in the second round.

Make no mistake about it though, when it comes to MMA few have been able to compete with the 38-year-old when he is at his best.

The question is, can he still reach those heights in the cage?

The atmosphere inside The Mayadeen is electric as we head into tonight’s main card. AJ McKee and Paul Hughes will kick-start the proceedings and all eyes will be on the Irishman – who was one of the most sought after free agents in MMA earlier in the year.

Welcome to Mail Sport’s coverage of Francis Ngannou’s long-awaited return to MMA at PFL: Battle of the Giants from Saudi Arabia!

Nearly three years since his last UFC title defence, Ngannou will step into the cage this evening as the lineal heavyweight champion of MMA, to take on the devastating KO artist Renan Ferreira.

The Cameroonian fighter has become a household name thanks to his forays into professional boxing, but he earned his reputation as one of the most dangerous fighters ever to strap on a pair of 4oz gloves.

Stick right here as myself and James Cohen provide all the news and updates from the opening bout of tonight’s five-fight main card right up to the main event.

The first fight of our main card tonight is scheduled for three five-minute rounds in the lightweight division.

Chants of Ole ring out around the Mayadeen in Riyadh as Hughes immediately assumes control of the centre of the cage.

McKee pressures Hughes against the fence and begins unleashing knees which Hughes’ corner believe to be low but their protests are ignored by referee Dan Miragliotta.

Hughes assumes top position from a failed takedown attempt and immediately starts raining down punches as McKee searches unsuccessfully for a submission.

Hughes lands a huge strike on the bell but the ref doesn’t hear it and this fight will continue…

Mail Sport scorecard: AJ McKee 9-10 Paul Hughes