“Ref wanted to see a funeral” – Francis Ngannou’s KO against Renan Ferreira has fans slamming PFL referee

Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou made a memorable debut in the PFL against Renan Ferreira last night in Saudi Arabia.

“Ref wanted to see a funeral” – Francis Ngannou’s KO against Renan Ferreira has fans slamming PFL referee

Francis Ngannou knocks out Renan Ferreira (Image via Al Jazeera/X)

Last night, The Mayadeen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, hosted an electrifying comeback by former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. Renan Ferreira posed as the opponent for the ‘Predator’ who returned to MMA competition after more than a year-long hiatus. However, the way the fight concluded raised serious questions about the officiating by the PFL referee.

Francis Ngannou’s promotional debut fight was scheduled against a formidable opponent, Renan Fereira. Interestingly, Ferreira is popular for possessing an exquisite knockout prowess similar to Ngannou. However, as for the former UFC champion, the fight had an altogether different significance as he stated that it was a tribute to his late son.

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With that motivation, Ngannou stepped into the ring and faced Ferreira. Initially, the Brazilian fighter made several attempts to neutralize the Cameroonian-born fighter with his BJJ prowess. However, he failed in those. When Ngannou got his hands on Ferreira, he took the Brazilian down and finished him with a ground-and-pound KO.

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Many fight fans expressed disappointment over the referee’s delay call. As such, they believed the fight could have been stopped after Ngannou landed 2 to 3 punches. This situation raises concerns for fans, especially given the numerous cases they have witnessed over the years involving fighters suffering from CTE and other head injuries.

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Fight fans react to Francis Ngannou thrashing Renan Ferreira in a ground-and-pound exchange

Francis Ngannou, a fighter from Cameroon, has made an impressive name for himself since joining the UFC. Over his seven-year career in the organization, Ngannou has defeated many tough opponents in the heavyweight division. Additionally, he has achieved several notable knockout victories, solidifying his reputation in the sport.

Francis Ngannou emotional after his win
Francis Ngannou emotional after his win (Image via Instagram)

The fight fans knew the damage Ngannou can inflict on his opponents. Due to this, they seemed furious at the referee, who was letting the Predator land powerful punches on Ferreira’s head. Check out some of the reactions below.

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While many were worried about Ferreira, others praised Francis Ngannou’s skills in MMA. Additionally, the majority of fight fans called for the referee’s dismissal. In the midst of all this, Ngannou achieved championship status in another promotion, further enhancing his reputation as a combat sports athlete.