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PFL CEO Peter Murray shares in the excitement, as the event shines a spotlight on two of the promotion’s high-profile acquisitions: Francis Ngannou and Paul Hughes.
Ngannou faces reigning PFL heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira in the main event of “Battle of the Giants”—a fitting title for their matchup. In the co-headliner, grand slam MMA champion and reigning Bellator MMA titleholder Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino meets two-time PFL women’s featherweight queen Larissa Pacheco. Also on the card: a rematch pits Fabian Edwards against the unbeaten Johnny Eblen for the Bellator middleweight crown, and a lightweight showcase sees A.J. McKee take on the aforementioned Hughes.
“We have three world title fights,” Murray said. “Francis and Renan—that is the biggest MMA fight of the year. It’s a new belt for the PFL. Our Super Fights belt must be won and defended going forward. These two monsters are going to go at it. Renan is dangerous [and] Francis is coming back into his world of MMA off of an incredible display in boxing, but this is the event of the year.”
The confrontation between “Cyborg” and Pacheco represents a potential changing of the guard in women’s MMA. Justin, 39, has not lost in almost six years, while her counterpart enters the cage on a career-best 10-fight winning streak.
“One of the greatest women in the history of combat sports goes against another Brazilian in Larissa Pacheco, a two-time PFL champion,” Murray said. “Renan and Larissa are very much about the future of this sport, and there’s a lot on the line for Francis and Cris. It has the makings.”
Once the PFL-Bellator merger was finalized, a rematch between Eblen and Edwards became a no-brainer for Murray. It had previously been scheduled for Bellator Champions Series 5, but matchmakers elected to rebook it as a way to further beef up the “Battle of the Giants” lineup. “Now that we have the Bellator roster,” Murray said, “we thought there was no better event to add to the excitement.” Meanwhile, the showdown between McKee and Hughes carries obvious title implications at 155 pounds.
“The fight I really want to see is the one that’s going to kick off the pay-per-view card: A.J. McKee against Paul Hughes,” Murray said. “Paul Hughes is an Irish kid on a run, really talented, very passionate. A.J.’s one of the best in the world in the weight class. That top of the card is going to be a night to remember, not just for the athletes but for fans around the world.”
Meanwhile, the undercard features a handful of PFL newcomers, and Murray believes it provides an excellent opportunity for fans to learn about some of the young talent being added to the roster.
“It very much is about a showcase—a showcase of some of the best talent in the world that are candidly on the come up,” Murray said. “These are names within the world of MMA. They’ve got a big stage, and we’re looking forward to giving that stage to them.”
With Ngannou and Hughes in the spotlight as free agents, Murray believes it sends a message to fighters around the world looking for a place to call home.
“With athletes like Francis, Paul Hughes and others [in the] PFL, as it relates to our roster, we are second to none. Period,” he said. “We’re also very much the brand in the sport that is solving for something. PFL is very much about the future of the sport, future champions, and that’s what is exciting fans.
“We’re still very much in the early days of our journey,” Murray added. “We punch above our weight. We’re a challenger brand. We’re a disruptor. What excites us is bringing innovation to the sport, advancing and growing the sport and ultimately giving fighters opportunities.”
As the PFL nears the end of its latest campaign, Murray provided some insight into the future. The company has major plans for its four platforms in 2025.
“Next year, fans can expect close to 40 events from the PFL distributed around the world,” Murray said. “That’s what is exciting. That’s what we’re building. I think what makes the PFL different is our fighters. They’re all very much empowered and part of our mission. They’re also part of changing the game and building the sport with the PFL.”
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