‘The Predator’ was fighting in the cage for the first time in two years, with the former UFC star going on to secure a dominant victory over Renan Ferreira
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou revealed he wet his feet just moments before defeating Renan Ferreira on his return to the cage on Saturday night – because the canvas was slippy.
Before the showdown with the Brazilian, ‘The Predator’s’ last fight in the octagon came back in 2022 when he successfully defended his UFC heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane. Following his win over the Frenchman, Ngannou decided to part ways with the UFC and sign with PFL. His official debut for the MMA organisation was delayed, however, after he opted to try his luck in boxing.
The 38-year-old first went toe-to-toe with Tyson Fury last year, losing a razor-thin split-decision. He returned to the squared-circle earlier this to take on Anthony Joshua, but suffered a devastating knockout defeat. On his return to the octagon on Saturday night, fans feared that Ngannou would suffer with ring-rust. That said, it was anything but. The Cameroonian was quickly able to take Ferreira down before going on to secure a sensational first-round knockout win after ‘The predator’ landed some brutal ground-and-pound strikes.
Given how long it’s been since Ngannou stepped foot in the cage, the 38-year-old revealed he had to wet his feet before entering the SmartCage. Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, when asked whether it felt ‘funky’ being back in the octagon, the Cameroonian replied: “The only thing that I felt different is the same thing that I used to feel sometimes.
“Sometimes the canvas feels a little slippery and that’s why I have to wet my feet in the corner before. There are no real traction on your foot and the canvas when you step in most of the time, and I was feeling that. So it wasn’t funky, it wasn’t nothing strange, it was just a normal feeling.”
Following the win, Ngannou broke down in tears at the thought of his late son. It was the heavyweight star’s first fight since the passing of Kobe in April. It’s certainly been a tough year for the former UFC champion, with a few fans now wondering whether or not he should continue with his fighting career.
In the same interview, Ngannou was asked whether or not he would like to continue fighting and ‘The Predator’ was confident that he will return to action next year.
“I think so. Along the way, I thought I took this fight so early. I thought maybe it wasn’t time for me yet to start fighting. But the question is ‘when will be the exact time?’ And I felt like the right time would never be there. I think it’s just something you have to go with because I think if we wait for a few years, I don’t think things will be different. Therefore, I will not be having time to fight again.” He added: “It could be either one,” when asked whether it’ll be an MMA or a boxing fight next. “I don’t know yet, I don’t have a hand on that one. I don’t have a decision. I think it also depends on the promotion.”
