Renan Ferreira shut down the allegations that he referenced Francis Ngannou’s deceased son during their press conference.
On Oct. 19, Ngannou will return to MMA and fight under the Professional Fighters League (PFL) banner for the first time. The former UFC heavyweight champion’s upcoming opponent is Ferreira, the 2023 PFL heavyweight champion.
Earlier this week, Ngannou and Ferreira met for a press conference in Washington, D.C. While answering questions, the Brazilian heavyweight talked about him being the toughest challenge of Ngannou’s year, which included a devastating knockout loss in boxing and his 15-month-old son passing away.
Ferreira later did an interview with MMA Fighting and cleared the air by explaining how he was strictly talking about Ngannou’s combat sports career. The 2023 PFL heavyweight champion explained the situation by saying:
“There was a completely twisted interpretation of everything I said. I was referring to a bad year in terms of fights, coming off two setbacks, two boxing losses, and a season without MMA fights. So, I said it would be a big problem in terms of fighting, professional issues. It was interpreted as getting personal, which I’d never do.”
Ferreira continued:
“As I’ve said many times before, I’m a father too with two kids, and I felt his loss deeply. I’d even expressed my condolences to him earlier, but it’s all resolved now. Yesterday, my manager, team, and I got in touch with Francis, and at no point, did he misinterpret this. He knows the respect I have for him, just as he respects me. He knows I’d never touch on such a sensitive subject and all this has been clarified. I’ve posted on social media too. I’d never go that low to promote a fight.”
Watch Renan Ferreira’s entire explanation of his comments about Francis Ngannou below:
Renan Ferreira clears air on “bad misinterpretation” of his comments to Francis Ngannou:
“I would never go that low to promote a fight, say a fight would be bigger than the feeling of losing a son or loved ones, or anyone for that matter.”
(🎥: @guicruzzz) pic.twitter.com/pVpfISdtG5
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) August 24, 2024
When were Renan Ferreira and Francis Ngannou’s respective last MMA fights?
In November 2023, Renan Ferreira secured a second-round knockout against Denis Goltsov to win the $1 million prize and become the PFL heavyweight champion. Three months later, the Brazilian knocked out Ryan Bader in 21 seconds to book the legacy-defining matchup against Francis Ngannou.
Meanwhile, Ngannou hasn’t fought in MMA since defending his UFC heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane in January 2022. ‘The Predator’ has been committed to professional boxing over the last two years, leading to a close split decision loss against Tyson Fury and a brutal knockout defeat against Anthony Joshua in March.