Francis Ngannou vs Renan Ferreira LIVE: Start time and round-by-round updates as ‘The Predator’ makes PFL debut after two-year hiatus from MMA

There’s a reason they call him ‘Big News’ Paul Hughes. What a performance that was in just his second PFL outing. AJ McKee is a formidable opponent but he made it look somewhat easy inside the cage. The Irishman is certainly one to keep an eye out for in 2025.

After an exciting start to tonight’s main card we go to the judges’ scorecards for a decision.

The judges are split but Paul Hughes gets the nod via decision to secure the biggest win of his career.

Surprised to see one of the judges go in favour of McKee, he was relentless in his pursuit of the takedown but rarely enjoyed any real ground control throughout the fight.

In any case, Hughes is delighted to extend his win streak to seven as he sets his sights on a clash with Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagodemov.

If Paul Hughes can continue his control of this fight you have to think he is en route to the biggest win of his young career.

Seemingly having the same realisation, McKee starts aggressively and again goes hunting for a takedown but Hughes again manages to scramble into top position.

Who said European fighters couldn’t wrestle?

Hughes’ striking really is special. He continues to drive forward as McKee looks exhausted from attempting so many takedowns.

McKee finally secures a takedown but it is too little too late, and Hughes puts an exclamation mark on an impressive performance with some strong strikes before the final bell.

Mail Sport scorecard: AJ McKee 9 (27)-(30) 10 Paul Hughes

Cristiano Ronaldo gets a decidely mixed reception as he is shown in attendance on the big screen between rounds.

Hughes looks to build on his momentum with a high kick to open the second but McKee does well to block it.

As Hughes looks to set up his strikes McKee is doing a good job at stifling him thus far in the second, using the oblique kick to the Irishman’s knee to good effect.

After landing a hard left hook Hughes gets overzealous in search of the finish allowing McKee and entry to a takedown but he doesn’t do much with his control.

Mail Sport scorecard: AJ McKee 9 (18)-(20) 10 Paul Hughes

One of the biggest rising stars in Irish MMA, Paul Hughes has quickly earned a reputation as one to watch inside the cage.

With just one blemish on his 13 fight tenure as a professional, Hughes has the potential to become just the latest star to emerge from the Emerald Isle.

Standing across from him tonight however, is undoubtly the toughest test of his career in the form of former Bellator featherweight champion AJ McKee.

A quick rendition of the Saudi Arabia national anthem rings out inside The Mayadeen ahead of the main card starting. There’s a huge cheer from the crowd as it comes to an end, with the excitement inside the arena palpable.

When Francis Ngannou confirmed he would be departing the UFC as the promotion’s reigning heavyweight champion, few could have predicted just how impactful his time away from the Octagon would be.

Despite having never competed in professional boxing, the Predator’s first assignment saw him take on then heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in a 10-round non-title clash last October.

Viewed as little more than a freakshow fight by many observers, Ngannou quickly earned his Fury’s respect inside the ring, dropping the Briton to the canvas in the third-round with a perfectly-timed left hook.

Fury would ultimately, albeit controversially, get the nod on the judges’ scorecards, but Ngannou had proven he was capable of stepping up with boxing’s elite.

A clash with Anthony Joshua in May proved to be a bridge too far for Ngannou as he suffered a brutal KO in the second round.

Make no mistake about it though, when it comes to MMA few have been able to compete with the 38-year-old when he is at his best.

The question is, can he still reach those heights in the cage?

The atmosphere inside The Mayadeen is electric as we head into tonight’s main card. AJ McKee and Paul Hughes will kick-start the proceedings and all eyes will be on the Irishman – who was one of the most sought after free agents in MMA earlier in the year.

Welcome to Mail Sport’s coverage of Francis Ngannou’s long-awaited return to MMA at PFL: Battle of the Giants from Saudi Arabia!

Nearly three years since his last UFC title defence, Ngannou will step into the cage this evening as the lineal heavyweight champion of MMA, to take on the devastating KO artist Renan Ferreira.

The Cameroonian fighter has become a household name thanks to his forays into professional boxing, but he earned his reputation as one of the most dangerous fighters ever to strap on a pair of 4oz gloves.

Stick right here as myself and James Cohen provide all the news and updates from the opening bout of tonight’s five-fight main card right up to the main event.

The first fight of our main card tonight is scheduled for three five-minute rounds in the lightweight division.

Chants of Ole ring out around the Mayadeen in Riyadh as Hughes immediately assumes control of the centre of the cage.

McKee pressures Hughes against the fence and begins unleashing knees which Hughes’ corner believe to be low but their protests are ignored by referee Dan Miragliotta.

Hughes assumes top position from a failed takedown attempt and immediately starts raining down punches as McKee searches unsuccessfully for a submission.

Hughes lands a huge strike on the bell but the ref doesn’t hear it and this fight will continue…

Mail Sport scorecard: AJ McKee 9-10 Paul Hughes