Prime Picks: PFL ‘Battle of the Giants’

Professional Fighters League’s “Battle of the Giants” show on Saturday brings about the biggest, baddest matchup any organization can offer, and also Francis Ngannou. Three titles will be on the line throughout the evening in Saudi Arabia, and pound-for-pound implications loom for multiple victors. Brace for impact as this installment of Prime Picks weighs in on the top two tilts on the marquee, both of which could end in the blink of an eye.

Renan Ferreira (+190)

With the utmost love and respect for our colleague, the great Sean Sheehan, we dissent on his picks for Francis Ngannou and Cris Cyborg. Even in the heaviest of divisions in the sport, youth historically prevails over the aging competitor. In the headlining collision at heavyweight, Ngannou—where multiple foes have questioned that he is as young, at 38, as he claims to be—will be the elder statesman, with a layoff in this sport that raises a lot of questions. While Ngannou gave boxing a full-throated effort, nearly dethroning Tyson Fury and then getting his chin checked by Anthony Joshua, it has been a long while since he has set foot in a cage. In the meantime, Ferreira has fought five times against increasingly impressive opposition. The line should be much closer than it is, making the underdog a choice option.

It should be noted that if picking against Ngannou is not one’s cup of tea, there is a two-piece parlay to be considered: Ngannou-Ferreira and Cyborg vs. Larissa Pacheco both lasting under 2.5 rounds each at -102. Several inches taller and rangier than his adversary, “Problema” presents a tough stylistic matchup against the Cameroonian bomber. A composed Ngannou, who picks his shots will have a much better chance than the one that crashed towards Jairzinho Rozenstruik, Stipe Miocic—in the rematch—or Joshua like a flaming bear.

It will be on Ngannou to get inside, whether to connect with his otherworldly hooks or to try to impose the wrestling that gave Ciryl Gane such a hard time. Ferreira and his legs that go all the way up present opportunities for him to be taken down, where he is susceptible to getting controlled or pounded on. Klidson Abreu, who later failed a post-fight drug test, wrangled Ferreira for the good part of 15 minutes, and Ngannou with his devastating ground-and-pound may not need that long should the fight go that way. Every fight starts on the feet, and given Ngannou’s relocation to boxing, he might be of a more striker-first mindset where he wants to make a point and take out Ferreira where he is best. That could prove to be a dangerous option should he go that way and not take the path of least resistance. The Brazilian could just as easily knock Ngannou’s block off as the other way around, and Joshua recently demonstrated that the former UFC champ’s chin is breakable.

Larissa Pacheco (-150)

While Ferreira will only be four or so years the younger, slight favorite Pacheco will clock in nine years younger than multi-org champ Cyborg. Massive win streaks collide, and the No. 1 spot in the women’s pound-for-pound rankings is there for the taking. Barring her first pro defeat, and a few blemishes in other sports like going toe-to-toe with the great Jorina Baars in the latter’s territory, the blueprint to beat Cyborg is not easily defined. Few have even enjoyed a bit of success against her, let alone surpass her, and one year ago she showed she is still very much still a player. Enter Pacheco, a power puncher with slick jits that can match the horsepower and physicality of her fellow countrywoman.

Just as Cyborg has amassed a win streak of seven, mostly under the Bellator banner, Pacheco’s 10-fight victorious stretch is for a reason. While decking the likes of Genah Fabian and Olena Kolesnyk looks good for the highlight reel, the real high marks are for her trilogy triumph against Kayla Harrison and her outhustling of Julia Budd. Both appearances showed that Pacheco has not only the cardio to compete for three-to-five grueling rounds, but that she is can both lead the dance and follow while not overexerting herself. The two Brazilians will come out of their corners loaded for bear, and the bigger, stronger, younger and faster of the two has the advantage in virtually all areas except for longtime championship experience. It does not work to the benefit of Cyborg that she has noted this could be her retirement match, as combatants that have one foot out the door sometimes take their eye off the ball. At the line presented—and no higher than around -175—Pacheco is a justified and understandable favorite against the beloved Chute Boxe-raised champion.