Summary

  1. Thanks for joining uspublished at 00:32 British Summer Time 20 October

    We've just witnessed something special as Francis Ngannou marked his return to MMA with a bang. He produced a superb first-round knockout win against Renan Ferreira.

    You can catch up on all the action in Paul Battison's report here.

    Before that, we saw wins for Cris Cyborg and Paul Hughes but a heartbreaking loss for Fabian Edwards.

    That's all from us so get yourselves to sleep and join us next time!

    Francis Ngannou raises his handsImage source, Getty Images
  2. The combat sports world reactspublished at 00:31 British Summer Time 20 October

    Ngannou stops Ferreira in one round

    YouTuber and boxer Jake Paul: "Francis Ngannou vs Jon Jones. That’s what I want. That’s what you want. Repost this now."

    UFC fighter Justin Gaethje: "Francis Ngannou deserves it all. Scary man."

    Retired MMA fighter Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson: "Nice finish! Congrats."

  3. 'This is for Kobe'published at 00:27 British Summer Time 20 October

    Ngannou stops Ferreira in one round

    Ngannou is asked for his final message of the night.

    "Well, I just want to say please remember my son Kobe. I dedicate this to him. This is for Kobe," he said.

  4. 'I told myself to stay strong'published at 00:24 British Summer Time 20 October

    An emotional Francis Ngannou dedicates his win tonight to his son, Kobe, who sadly passed away earlier this year.

    He said to DAZN: "I don’t know. I can't think about anything [other] than my son Kobe. I only took this fight because of him. I went to fight for him. I hope they can remember his name because without Kobe, we wouldn't be here tonight. I wouldn't have fought."

    On training camp: "It was tough, It's been tough. Not only the training camp was tough but the past two days were very tough. Full of emotion. I couldn't do anything without thinking about it. I told myself to stay strong and keep moving, but it's hard."

    On his performance and returning to MMA: "I knew I didn't miss a step. I wasn't worried about it because as soon as I walked in the gym I knew everything was still there. It was just me being able to manage my emotions. Deal with life separately, not mix things up. That's what I have been working on. We're here and we finally get a result. Thank you to my team, my family and everyone who has been here. Some of them have been away from their family for two months to support me in my crazy dream, which has no limits. Sometimes I don't even know if my dream has sense. Thank you, guys."

    On taking Ferreira to the ground: "That was an option. I am a mixed martial artist. I am multi-dimensional. That was definitely an option. Since the opportunity was there, I was here to take everything that came my way. Here we are."

    On what comes next: "I think my next move in combat sports all depends on me, how I feel. I always think I have a lot to give and I keep thinking that way."

    A tearful Francis Ngannou speaks in the cageImage source, Getty Images
  5. Postpublished at 00:18 British Summer Time 20 October

    An incredibly emotional speech from Francis Ngannou after his victory. We'll have full quotes for you shortly.

  6. get involved

    Who is the world's best heavyweight?published at 00:15 British Summer Time 20 October

    Debate will rage on about this, especially after Francis Ngannou's knockout return to MMA.

    Who is the best heavyweight in MMA? Ngannou, to many, is the lineal champion. While others will say current UFC champion Jon Jones is the top man. Or maybe you're a Tom Aspinall super-fan (you should be!).

    Split image of Francis Ngannou with his UFC title, Jon Jones with his UFC title and Tom Aspinall celebratingImage source, Getty Images
  7. Postpublished at 00:12 British Summer Time 20 October

    Ngannou beats Ferreira by knockout

    That is some way to announce your return. Everyone was so intrigued as to how Francis Ngannou would look after taking time out of MMA but he looked as though he'd never been away!

    What an incredible athlete.

    Ngannou now has the 'super fights belt' wrapped around his waist.

  8. Postpublished at 00:10 British Summer Time 20 October

    Ngannou beats Ferreira by knockout

    Renan Ferreira has a huge amount of swelling on his forehead, just above his right eye. He took some massive punches off Francis Ngannou.

    The referee let the Brazilian take far more damage than he should've done but Ferreira is up and OK.

  9. Postpublished at 00:08 British Summer Time 20 October

    Ngannou beats Ferreira by knockout

    Wow! It's like he's never been away! Francis Ngannou was on top of Renan Ferreira and he lands huge punches on the Brazilian to knock him out.

    He was so patient when he went he initially went to the ground and slowly worked his way into an attack position.

    Ngannou is overcome with emotion after the terribly difficult year he's had.

  10. Ngannou wins by knockoutpublished at 00:06 British Summer Time 20 October
    Breaking

    Ngannou v Ferreira

    It's all over in one round!

  11. We're under way in the main eventpublished at 00:03 British Summer Time 20 October

    Ngannou v Ferreira

    Finally, the main event has started. Both men land massive leg kicks, knocking each other off-balance.

    Ngannou hasn't thrown a punch yet but Ferreira has tried his luck with a massive overhand right.

  12. From one OG to anotherpublished at 00:02 British Summer Time 20 October

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  13. Ngannou AKA knockout machinepublished at 00:01 British Summer Time 20 October

    Ngannou v Ferreira

    Francis Ngannou stands over an unconscious Stipe MiocicImage source, Getty Images

    Being one of the most feared knockout artists on the planet means you've made the highlight reel every now and then.

    Francis Ngannou has six one-punch knockouts on his record, 12 stoppages overall plus four submissions.

    We've picked out some of the best below, have you got a favourite?

    Ngannou v Luis Henrique - December 2015

    Francis Ngannou punches Luis Henrique in the faceImage source, Getty Images

    UFC 218: Ngannou v Alistair Overeem - December 2017

    Francis Ngannou lands an uppercut on Alistair Overeem who is falling backwardsImage source, Getty Images

    UFC 249: Ngannou v Jairzinho Rozenstruik - May 2020

    Francis Ngannou punches Jairzinho Rozenstruik on his chinImage source, Getty Images

    UFC 260: Ngannou v Stipe Miocic - March 2021

    Francis Ngannou punches Stipe Miocic, making his face contortImage source, Getty Images
  14. Weigh-in dramapublished at 00:00 British Summer Time 20 October

    Ngannou v Ferreira

    There was a bit of action at the weigh-in on Friday.

    Francis Ngannou went right for Renan Ferreira, putting his forehead to his rival's.

    Only MMA legend Dan Hardy seemed to realise what could happen, as he was the first to try and cool tensions before security jumped into action.

    At least we know Hardy can handle himself!

    Francis Ngannou and Renan Ferreira are separated at a weigh-inImage source, PFL
    Francis Ngannou and Renan Ferreira are separated at a weigh-inImage source, PFL
    Francis Ngannou and Renan Ferreira are separated at a weigh-inImage source, PFL
  15. get involved

    Get Involved - Your favourite nickname in combat sports?published at 00:00 British Summer Time 20 October

    #bbcmma, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Favourite nickname has got to be TKZ - The Korean Zombie

    Eleanor, Bournemouth

    My favorite nickname in combat sports are Israel Adesanya's the last style bender and Kamaru Usman's the Nigerian Nightmare.

    Sulaimon Adelekan

  16. 'This fight is for him'published at 23:59 British Summer Time 19 October

    Ngannou v Ferreira

    Francis Ngannou makes his return to action just six months after losing his son, Kobe.

    Kobe was 15 months old when he passed away. Ngannou has been open about his grief, and his reason for returning to fighting.

    Ngannou said he wanted to dedicate the rest of his career to his son.

    "Yeah it does feel personal," Ngannou said of his decision to fight again.

    "In fact I think he's the main reason behind this fight, even though this fight was suppose to happen either way. This fight is for him."

  17. Postpublished at 23:59 British Summer Time 19 October

    Ngannou v Ferreira

    Drake's 'God's Plan' rings around the arena as Francis Ngannou makes his entrance and his return to MMA.

  18. Postpublished at 23:58 British Summer Time 19 October

    Ngannou v Ferreira

    Francis Ngannou loves to knock his opponents out. Will Renan Ferreira become the next man to feel Ngannou's power?

    Francis Ngannou's knockout rate in wins is 70.58%
  19. Who is Renan Ferreira?published at 23:57 British Summer Time 19 October

    Ngannou v Ferreira

    Francis Ngannou's last two opponents Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua are household names but the same can't be said about Renan Ferreira.

    So what do we know about the Brazilian?

    He is 34 and 6ft 8in, which is four inches taller than Ngannou.

    He is also heavier, weighing in at 261lb (18st 10lb) on Friday compared to Ngannou's 256lb (18st 5lb).

    Ferreira is on a four-fight win streak and won the PFL's global annual heavyweight tournament in 2023.

    The biggest win of his career came in February as he knocked out former two division Bellator champion Ryan Bader in the first round.

    Like Ngannou, he also carries knockout power, and has stopped his last four opponents.

    Don't expect this fight to go the distance...

    A graphic of Renan Ferreira with text reading it is 798 days since his last defeat in MMA
  20. What is Ferreira's height?published at 23:55 British Summer Time 19 October

    Ngannou v Ferreira

    It's not often someone can make Francis Ngannou look small but Renan Ferreira has managed it!

    The Brazilian is a huge four inches taller than Ngannou at 6' 8".

    Here's how the two compare.

    Stats for Francis Ngannou v Renan Ferreira. Record 17-3 for Ngannou, 13-3 for Ferreira. height 6' 4'' for Ngannou, 6' 8'' for Ferreira. Reach 83'' for Ngannou, 85'' for Ferreira.