With all eyes on Francis Ngannou, one of the most recognisable MMA fighters in the world, ahead of Saturday’s Professional Fighters League (PFL) heavyweight title bout, his opponent Renan Ferreira is quietly planning his challenge.
Ngannou might be the star attraction at the ‘Battle of the Giants’ show in Riyadh, but it is Ferreira who is the champion.
And, according to Ngannou, the 6ft 8ins Brazilian is a heavily underrated fighter and not to be taken lightly.
“I think he’s by far the fastest and the best striker, maybe the best striker in the heavyweight division globally right now. That’s just my opinion, so for me he represents a lot from a fighter’s perspective,” Ngannou told The National in Riyadh.
Such praise must have been music to the ears of Ferreira’s camp, even if the Brazilian admits to suffering from a few pre-fight nerves.
“Coming into this fight, I have lot of energy, a lot of anxiety, and I really worked hard for this moment,” Ferreira told reporters at the Fifa World Cup Exhibition Centre in the Saudi capital. “I wish this to be a great fight. And for me, it’s all about getting this anxiety out and transforming it into good positive energy.
“It’s not unusual for any fighter to go through the uncertainties and the emotions before a fight of this magnitude but when taking the positives, it’s a great environment to be in one of the biggest heavyweight fights.”
Ferreira arrives in Riyadh with four victories under his belt since June 2023, the last being a TKO over Ryan Bader in the PFL versus Bellator champions contest in February. “I came to the PFL versus Bellator fight after three fights in five months from June to November and my body was tired,” said Ferreira.
“I needed to take a break. So I went back to Brazil, and then three months ... I had to go to a very intensive camp and now here I am in good shape and ready for the fight night.
“It will be a fight with special flavour because a victory over an undisputed world heavyweight champion means a lot for me. So, definitely it is something that will be very important for me to win.”
Ferreira thinks Ngannou’s absence from MMA for nearly three years - to feature in a couple of high-profile boxing matches - is unlikely to diminish his threat.
“Francis is a great athlete and he’s been in MMA for a long time as well. So, I have true and a great respect for him,” Ferreira said. “Obviously he’s a great champion and his return to the cage isn’t a big deal. I don’t feel that at all. Obviously, he’s a great champion.”
A black belt in jiu-jitsu, Ferreira comes from a humble background. He worked as a security guard and a construction worker before joining jiu-jitsu training at a social project for children from low-income families in Brasilia in 2013. His life changed three years later when he moved to Rio de Janeiro to pursue martial arts full time.
“That was God’s work and I’m ever thankful for it, and now to be here in one of the biggest MMA platforms,” Ferreira said.
“I feel it. It’s going to be a great fight, a big one. God is mainly behind the scenes. It was not easy to get here and be in this place. I’m even more proud to be a Brazilian athlete with a Brazilian base.
“This is a source of joy, a source of happiness for me. This is what moves me and makes me give my best in this game. I’m very proud and very glad. I thank God for the opportunity that I’m having here.
“I’m just very happy to be here after all this struggle and this work to be in this sport. I’m just super grateful, super happy.”
Countries recognising Palestine
France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg result:
Ajax 2-3 Tottenham
Tottenham advance on away goals rule after tie ends 3-3 on aggregate
Final: June 1, Madrid
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Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
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Don't get fined
The UAE FTA requires following to be kept:
- Records of all supplies and imports of goods and services
- All tax invoices and tax credit notes
- Alternative documents related to receiving goods or services
- All tax invoices and tax credit notes
- Alternative documents issued
- Records of goods and services that have been disposed of or used for matters not related to business
Founders: Ines Mena, Claudia Ribas, Simona Agolini, Nourhan Hassan and Therese Hundt
Date started: January 2017, app launched November 2017
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Private/Retail/Leisure
Number of Employees: 18 employees, including full-time and flexible workers
Funding stage and size: Seed round completed Q4 2019 - $1m raised
Funders: Oman Technology Fund, 500 Startups, Vision Ventures, Seedstars, Mindshift Capital, Delta Partners Ventures, with support from the OQAL Angel Investor Network and UAE Business Angels
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
If you go
The flights Etihad (www.etihad.com) and Spice Jet (www.spicejet.com) fly direct from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Pune respectively from Dh1,000 return including taxes. Pune airport is 90 minutes away by road.
The hotels A stay at Atmantan Wellness Resort (www.atmantan.com) costs from Rs24,000 (Dh1,235) per night, including taxes, consultations, meals and a treatment package.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
'Munich: The Edge of War'
Director: Christian Schwochow
Starring: George MacKay, Jannis Niewohner, Jeremy Irons
Rating: 3/5
The five pillars of Islam
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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