Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia will host the most prominent event in mixed martial arts, Battle of the Giants, which will bring together Brazilian champion Renan Ferreira and his Cameroonian rival Francis Ngannou for the Professional Fighters League (PFL) heavyweight championship title.

The event is set to take place on October 19 at Mayadeen Hall in Riyadh, under the supervision of the Saudi Ministry of Sports and the organization of the Saudi Mixed Martial Arts Federation, in cooperation with the World Martial Arts Association.

"I am happy to return to Saudi Arabia and be in Riyadh, which has a special place in my heart. The Saudi public welcomed me enthusiastically last time, so I am looking forward to performing in front of them and winning this great fight," Ngannou stated during a news conference in Washington, D.C.

Ferreira, the current PFL heavyweight champion, expressed his excitement about competing in the Kingdom for the first time. "I am very excited to be in the Kingdom for the first time, and I want to be part of the development of this sport here by participating in this match, in which I will definitely give my best to achieve a historic victory that adds to my previous successes," he said.

The main event will be preceded by another outstanding match on the women’s side, where MMA legend Cris Cyborg will face champion Larissa Pacheco in a highly anticipated and thrilling competition between two champions.