Coach Eric Nicksick shares thoughts on Francis Ngannou's next MMA opponent Renan Ferreira: "He could put your lights out"

Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira is the matchup that awaits 'The Predator' upon his MMA return, and his coach Eric Nicksick believes that few opponents present the kind of danger to Ngannou that Ferreira does. In an interview with the MMA Junkie, Nicksick detailed his respect for Ferreira.

The towering Brazilian is the reigning PFL heavyweight champion, and is coming off a first-round knockout of Bellator heavyweight champion and former top UFC light heavyweight Ryan Bader. This combination of punching power, size, and speed is something that gives Nicksick caution.

Here's what Nicksick said on Ferreira:

"This is a very dangerous opponent. We've been watching him for a long time. Fast, long, big, tall, powerful guy. So we got out work cut out for us, but I think if Francis can go in there and do what he's capable of, yeah, it definitely puts us right back in that mix."

While he believes wholeheartedly in Ngannou's ability to emerge victorious come fight night, given his past championship exploits in the UFC heavyweight division, as well as his performance against Tyson Fury in the pair's boxing match, Nicksick spent much of his sitdown hyping up Ferreira.

Despite the simplicity of Ferreira's striking skills, it is the effectiveness granted to the Brazilian by his athleticism that Nicksick fears. The 44-year-old said:

"He wins fights off a jab-cross and pull counters, and super sharp, sharp basics. But you talk about the heavyweight division, where you're looking at 4 oz. gloves, and a guy that size and that stature, he touches you with one strike, one hand, he could put your lights out. We saw that with Ryan Bader, who's an accomplished heavyweight."

The eye of the MMA world will be upon the PFL when Ngannou and Ferreira clash on Oct. 19.

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Francis Ngannou witnessed Renan Ferreira's last win live

Eric Nicksick is right to fear Renan Ferreira's vaunted punching power, as Francis Ngannou was in attendance for the Brazilian's first-round stoppage of Ryan Bader at PFL vs. Bellator. It marked the PFL heavyweight champion's fourth consecutive knockout/TKO.

Check out Renan Ferreira calling out Francis Ngannou:

Now, with Ngannou's PFL heavyweight championship bout with Ferreira fast-approaching, there is much at stake. 'The Predator' will look to bounce back from a brutal knockout loss to Anthony Joshua in an ill-conceived boxing excursion. Moreover, his status as MMA's lineal heavyweight champion will be on the line.