PFL vs. Bellator: Champions results: Renan Ferreira sparks Ryan Bader in 21 seconds, calls out Francis Ngannou

matthew wells

Sat, Feb 24, 2024, 5:50 PM·27 min read

Renan Ferreira didn’t waste time cashing in his ticket for a future big payday in a massive showdown against Francis Ngannou.

With just one fight left on the PFL vs. Bellator: Champions at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the PFL side needed to pick up a victory as Bellator was running a clean sweep on the tally of bragging rights between promotions.

Ferreira (13-3) provided what the PFL needed in the blink of an eye by finishing Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader in just 13 seconds in the main event.

Beyond taking home a shiny new belt with a championship ring embedded in it, the winner of the fight would lay claim to the first opponent to face Ngannou in the PFL cage.

Ferreira claimed that spot quickly, by sparking Bader (31-8) with a hard right hand in an opening exchange. Bader fell to the canvas and Ferreira capitalized by raining hammerfists until the referee rushed in.

OH MY WORD 🤯
Renan Ferreira stops Ryan Bader in less than 30 seconds 🌬#PFLvsBellator | Live on DAZN pic.twitter.com/dnZOJ7Ntuw
— DAZN MMA (@daznmma) February 24, 2024

During his post-fight interview, Ferriera turned his attention to Ngannou, who was watching cageside. The former UFC champion will face the towering 6-foot-8 Brazilian when he returns to the MMA cage after facing Anthony Joshua in the boxing ring on March 8.

“Francis, where you at?” Ferreira said through an interpreter. “I’m waiting for you, let’s do this. I’m the champion out here!”

When Ngannou signed with PFL, part of his deal ensured his opponent would receive a minimum $2 million purse, meaning Ferreira is in for a large payday when the fight takes place in the near future.

Up-to-the-minute results of PFL vs. Bellator: Champions include:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL vs. Bellator: Champions.

Malik Basahel def. Vinicius Pereira at PFL vs. Bellator: Champions

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - FEBRUARY 24: Vinicius Pereira steps into the cage during the 2024 PFL…

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - FEBRUARY 24: Vinicius Pereira steps into the cage during the 2024 PFL vs Bellator: Champs event at Kingdom Arena on February 24, 2024 in Riyadh. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Vinicius Pereira

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Malik Basahel def. Vinicius Pereira at PFL vs. Bellator: Champions

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - FEBRUARY 24: Malik Basahel steps into the cage during the 2024 PFL…

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - FEBRUARY 24: Malik Basahel steps into the cage during the 2024 PFL vs Bellator: Champs event at Kingdom Arena on February 24, 2024 in Riyadh. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Malik Basahel

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Malik Basahel def. Vinicius Pereira at PFL vs. Bellator: Champions

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - FEBRUARY 24: Malik Basahel throws a kick against Vinicius Pereira during the…

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - FEBRUARY 24: Malik Basahel throws a kick against Vinicius Pereira during the 2024 PFL vs Bellator: Champs event at Kingdom Arena on February 24, 2024 in Riyadh. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Malik Basahel

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Malik Basahel def. Vinicius Pereira at PFL vs. Bellator: Champions

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - FEBRUARY 24: Malik Basahel throws a punch against Vinicius Pereira during the…

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - FEBRUARY 24: Malik Basahel throws a punch against Vinicius Pereira during the 2024 PFL vs Bellator: Champs event at Kingdom Arena on February 24, 2024 in Riyadh. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Malik Basahel

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Malik Basahel def. Vinicius Pereira at PFL vs. Bellator: Champions

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - FEBRUARY 24: Vinicius Pereira attacks from the ground against Malik Basahel during…

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - FEBRUARY 24: Vinicius Pereira attacks from the ground against Malik Basahel during the 2024 PFL vs Bellator: Champs event at Kingdom Arena on February 24, 2024 in Riyadh. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Vinicius Pereira

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Malik Basahel def. Vinicius Pereira at PFL vs. Bellator: Champions

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - FEBRUARY 24: Vinicius Pereira attacks from the ground against Malik Basahel during…

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Malik Basahel def. Vinicius Pereira at PFL vs. Bellator: Champions

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - FEBRUARY 24: Vinicius Pereira taks a punch from Malik Basahel during the…

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - FEBRUARY 24: Vinicius Pereira taks a punch from Malik Basahel during the 2024 PFL vs Bellator: Champs event at Kingdom Arena on February 24, 2024 in Riyadh. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Vinicius Pereira

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Malik Basahel def. Vinicius Pereira at PFL vs. Bellator: Champions

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - FEBRUARY 24: Malik Basahel throws a punch during the 2024 PFL vs…

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - FEBRUARY 24: Malik Basahel throws a punch during the 2024 PFL vs Bellator: Champs event at Kingdom Arena on February 24, 2024 in Riyadh. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Malik Basahel

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Malik Basahel def. Vinicius Pereira at PFL vs. Bellator: Champions

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - FEBRUARY 24: Malik Basahel wins a fight against Vinicius Pereira during the…

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - FEBRUARY 24: Malik Basahel wins a fight against Vinicius Pereira during the 2024 PFL vs Bellator: Champs event at Kingdom Arena on February 24, 2024 in Riyadh. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Malik Basahel

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