Us Degnerates and lovers of violence are spoilt this weekend. As not only do we get a UFC card. We also have huge PFL card in Saudi Arabia, for their “Battle of the giants” super fights card. Live on PPV! A five fight main card is pretty solid. Headlined by the return of Francis Ngannou to the MMA scene after his 0-2 foray into boxing. So enough of my yapping. Let’s get into it!

We open the card with a fantastic fight in the 155lb division.

AJ MCKEE V PAUL HUGHES.

Now most of you regular readers will know how much I love to fade former Cage Warriors fighters. But having see Paul Hughes fight live on a number of occasions, this is one guy who I aren’t quite ready to go against just yet.

Paul Hughes is 12-1 with 9 of those wins coming via finish for the Irishman. His only loss was to Jordan Vucenic via split decision. A loss he avenged 2 fights later with a UD win for the CW Featherweight title. Hughes is very well rounded. His striking is excellent, he can grapple and he has some good submissions in his arsenal. Add to that a solid chin, and a nice gas tank. The kids a potential problem.

AJ McKee is no stranger to big fights. He’s won world titles in Bellator, and looked very good doing so. He to only has 1 loss on his record. A questionable decision loss to Patricio Pitbull. AJ has solid stand up, but his best attribute is his top class grappling and submission game. It’s ridiculously good. If he can stifle Hughes in the striking, he can get the advantage on the ground in my opinion. This is the best fight on the card for me, outside of the main event. I can’t pick a winner. But I don’t think it will be over quick, so the value lies in the overs market in my opinion.

PICK – Over 1.5 rounds @ +100.

Next up we have two guys from Europe going at it in the Featherweight division. I will defo have to shorten 1 of these guys names!

ZAFAR MOHSEN V HUSEIN KADIMAGOMAEV. 

Straight up with you as always here. I don’t know a huge amount about these 2 guys, other than what I’ve watched online. So tread lightly.

Zafar is the big underdog here at +550. With a record of 13-4. So I’m going to keep this short. I feel this is a complete lay up fight for HUSEIN. Who makes the walk with an 11-1 record, and a huge odds on favourite price of -1200. Personally I’ll be leaving this fight well alone. Sometimes that’s the best bet. Looking at the records and the bit of footage I’ve seen. If you must bet this fight simply find a prop bet you like. Mines below. But I’ll be having no action, and making a brew whilst this one unfolds.

PICK – Make a brew. Or bet Under 1.5 @ -150.

2 fights in the rear view mirror, 3 fights left. World title fight on deck in the Bellator 185lb division.

JOHNNY EBLEN V FABIAN EDWARDS.

Johnny Eblen is the current Bellator middleweight champion, and has an undefeated record of 15-0. With 7 of those fights coming inside the distance. Eblen is a guy who will bring the pressure for as long as the fights going. He will look to use his stand up game to set up opportunities to take you down. His bread and butter is wrestling. He’s brilliant on the mat. If he gets you down he will most likely keep you down. From there he will look to finish you with ground and pound or lock in a submission. Let’s face it. It’s worked for him so far in his impressive career. It will most certainly be the game plan here.

His opponent Fabian Edward’s is a striker. He holds a record of 13-3. He is the brother of former UFC welterweight champion Leon Edward’s. He does have a BJJ black belt in his locker. But he’s more of a point fighter in my eyes. He does have 3 career submission wins, but it’s his striking that is his best weapon for me. The only issue is his power behind those punches. It’s average. I just don’t think it will of improved enough since the last time he faced Eblen in 2023. Where he was knocked out in the third round via ground and pound.

You know what they say. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. I expect a repeat of their first fight. Eblen wins.

PICK – Under 4.5 rounds @ -110.

Next up we have our co-main event of the evening. A passing of the torch kinda affair.

CRIS CYBORG V LARISSA PACHECO.

If you reading this article I’m going to take it that you know who Cris Cyborg is. A legend of women’s MMA. She has a record of 27-2. Her last defeat was back in 2018 when she lost to the GOAT Amanda Nunes for Featherweight gold. Since then she’s just got back to winning. Reeling off 11 wins across a multitude of combat sports. She will go down in the history books as one of the best to ever do it in WMMA.

Larissa Pacheco is 23-4 and is a star. She’s won back to back tournaments in the PFL. In the first one of those triumphs she handed Kayla Harrison the only loss of her professional career. So it’s safe to say this girl is legit. Like Cyborg this lady has knockout power, and if your defence isn’t solid she can turn your lights out quick. Just ask Olena Kolesnyk. Who she out to sleep in 14 seconds of round 1. Outside of the main card opener, this is my favourite fight on the card. I’m hoping for a war.

Pick wise, sometimes with fights it’s all about timing. I think Pacheco is getting Cyborg at the right time. Cris is 39 when she makes the walk on Saturday. Pacheco is 9 years younger and that’s going to make a difference. I’ll ride with the younger of the two ladies to get it done in hopefully an absolute blood bath of a fight.

PICK – Pacheco to win @ -150.

Brace for impact ladies and gents. It’s the main event and the return of The African King Francis Ngannou.

FRANCIS NGANNOU V RENAN FERREIRA. 

I’ll keep this breakdown short. As I don’t believe this fights going to go long. One of these giants is going to land, and when they do. It’s over.

Ferreira is the going PFL champ and puts people to sleep for fun. Speak to Ryan Bader and he will tell you this guy has power. Lots of it. Plus he’s 6’8. Even against Francis he will be the bigger guy. Overall he is 13-3. 12 of his wins are by finish. 11 of the 12 by KO.

Francis Ngannou is a former UFC heavyweight champion. A super star in combat sports. You don’t need me to tell you about this guy. Even my dad knows who he is. He’s a frightening fighter. The baddest man on the planet in many people’s eyes. But remember he hasn’t been in a MMA fight for over 2 years. That might be a problem.

Call it a hunch. Call it a gut play. But I think Ngannou might lose on Saturday. I haven’t quite decided if I’ll make a bet on this fight. But if I do, I’ll be playing the underdog. Whose odds have shortened significantly. Which means I ain’t the only one thinking that. Whatever happens, it’s going to be violent.

PICK – Renan Ferreira to win via KO @ +260. 

Enjoy the violence people.

Phil @PhilsBananas

PS – Free 20$ Bet on the fight if you head to https://theverifiedbookie.com and use our code BANANAS on sign up! LETS GET IT!