Ryan Bader, Renan Ferreira Both Target Francis Ngannou After PFL vs. Bellator Bout

It’s safe to say that Ryan Bader and Renan Ferreira have their eyes on the prize. In this case, that can apply to more than thing.

Bader, the reigning Bellator heavyweight champ, and Ferreira, the defending PFL 2023 heavyweight king, will square off in the main event of the PFL vs. Bellator card on Feb. 24 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Both men recognize the magnitude of a cross-promotional event that features some of the top talents in PFL and Bellator.

“It’s a huge deal,” Bader said at a press conference in Hollywood, Florida, on Wednesday. “It doesn’t happen in MMA. All the fans are wanting these superfights. A lot of organizations don’t want to risk putting there champions out there. I love it. The whole card if you look at it, it’s stacked.”

Added Ferreira: “It’s a special moment for the fans. it’s a special moment for the sport. I feel honored to be in this position as the main event to fight against a guy with the credentials that Ryan Bader has. I’m just excited to get there. You know my fight style, always pressing the action, moving forward. Excited to put on a show.”

Bader is the more established commodity. He was a UFC light heavyweight contender for years before signing with Bellator, where he was a champion at both 205 pounds and heavyweight. Ferreira, meanwhile, is an imposing physical specimen at 6-foot-8 and more than 260 pounds. The Brazilian known as “Problema” doesn’t have the resume of his opponent, but he put everything together to claim the PFL heavyweight crown with three consecutive KO/TKO victories to close out his 2023 campaign.

“I have 40-some fights. He has quite a bit less,” Bader said. “I’ve stood across from everybody: legends of the sport, champions, former champions. I’ve been fighting five-round fights since I can remember. I’m proven in that aspect.

“He’s an amazing fighter. He’s huge. He’s fun to watch, and it’s one of those challenges where I’m going to have to dictate what I do. I just feel like I have more tools. He’s a giant man in there swinging hard. You never know what happens.”

Ferreira, in turn, has plenty of respect for the accomplishments of his 40-year-old adversary.

“I’ve been following his career for a very long time. I’ve watched his fights live,” Ferreira said. “I think he’s a great athlete. His wrestling credentials speak for themselves. He mixes that well with his striking, too. It’s a great honor to face off against him.”

While Bader vs. Ferreira is a significant cross promotional matchup in itself, Francis Ngannou looms large over the entire heavyweight division in both organizations. Ngannou’s stock has never been higher after he took heavyweight boxing champ Tyson Fury to the brink of defeat this past October. While “The Predator” has repeatedly stated that he isn’t done with MMA, his next boxing match is already booked. Ngannou will meet Anthony Joshua on March 8 in Saudi Arabia.

After that, Bader and Ferreira would be eager to welcome him back to the MMA realm.

“100%. That’s one of the fights [I want],” Bader said. “He’s got a boxing fight coming up. I think it’s perfect timing. We get this done and the winner gets that opportunity. A former UFC champion, he just had an amazing fight with Tyson Fury and put everybody on notice.

“I’m not looking past Renan, but get that done, 100%.”

Ferreira seconded that assessment while adding a little intrigue of his own.

“I feel like it’s undeniable,” he said. “If everything goes as planned, yeah. After Feb. 24, Francis is the name. And that being said, I’ll be ready to go however he wants to do it. If he wants to do it in MMA, in boxing, we’ll be ready.”