[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EME_Xra0cQ&w=560&h=315]
Sign up for ESPN+ right here, and you can then stream the PFL live on
your smart TV, computer, phone, tablet or streaming device via the
ESPN app. In both frame and potential, a big Professional Fighters League heavyweight
prospect plans on shocking the world next week. With a record of 6-2, with all six of his wins coming by stoppage,
Team Nogueira’s Renan
Ferreira has no problem with what should be large underdog odds
against Fabricio
Werdum (24-9-1). One week before his debut in PFL heavyweight
tournament against fellow countryman Werdum, “Problema” spoke with
Sherdog about his expectations for the most important fight of his
career.
“I’ve always prepared myself for great opportunities,” Ferreira
explained. “I’m very honored to make my PFL debut against an idol
like Werdum, one of the greatest heavyweights of the history who
brought so many titles to Brazil. But I trained hard to prove that
I came to make history. I’m here to stay.”
Ferreira has already trained with many experienced fighters like
Ronaldo
Souza, Rousimar
Palhares, and Rodolfo
Vieira as well as both Nogueira brothers. For this specific
fight, however, the BJJ brown belt has done his camp in Rio de
Janeiro specifically with Team Nogueira. There, he has the support
of training partners including Richardson
Moreira and up-and-coming talents like Rodolfo
Bellato and Caio
Borralho.
“Team Nogueira gave me an excellent structure of trainers. From
striking, passing [through] wrestlers and ground specialist. Werdum
is able to fight everywhere, but of course my main focus is to put
my hands on him, and if I connect, he will be in trouble.”
Very happy with the excellent treatment PFL has given to its
fighters, the local from Santa Tereza in the state of Goias recalls
the hard times he had gone through in the past. Ferreira promised
his 10-year-old, Samuel, that he will not lose that
opportunity.
“When you pass through hard times, like we did, you learn to give
your heart to an opportunity,” Ferreira said. “Anyone who already
lived in an academy, having your own gi as pillow, knows the value
of an opportunity like that. Besides being fighting one of the best
heavyweights ever in one of the best events in the world, our fight
will be broadcasted live to Brazil via Combate. That’s a big dream
coming [true].”
The confidence for “Problema” is at an all-time high, as the
6-foot-8 striker believes he will get the job done early.
“With all the respect Werdum deserves, I’ll fight my guts [out] to
get the six points and guarantee my place in the playoffs,”
Ferreira concluded.
PFL 3: 2021 Regular Season will be held at the Ocean Casino
Resort in Atlantic City, N.J., on May 6. Heavyweights and women’s
lightweights will be the featured attraction for the end of the
first stage of the regular season. The headliner will see Ferreira
square off against Werdum. The preliminary card will air on ESPN+
while the main card will be staged on ESPN2 in the U.S., although
it will be airing on the Combate channel in Brazil.
