Date, time, map and view

The upcoming Professional Fighters League event is easily the largest in the promotion’s six-year history and one of the most important MMA shows of the year.

Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou will make his promotional debut with the PFL when he takes on reigning heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira in the main event.

In the co-main event, Bellator Featherweight Champion Cris Cyborg will face PFL Champion Larissa Pacheco to find out which woman is the most dominant woman under the promotion’s banner.

Here’s a look at the full map and viewing information for the entire event.

Date: Saturday, October 19th

Time: Prelims at 1:30 p.m. ET, main card at 4 p.m p.m. ET

TV: ESPN+ PPV

• Heavyweight PFL Superfight Championship: Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira
• Women’s Superfight Featherweight Championship: Cris Cyborg vs. Larissa Pacheco
• Bellator Middleweight Championship: Johnny Eblen (c) vs. Fabian Edwards
• Men’s Featherweight: Husein Kadimagomaev vs. Zafar Mohsen
• Lightweight: AJ McKee vs. Paul Hughes
• Bantamweight: Raufeon Stots vs. Marcos Breno
• Lightweight: Dedrek Sanders vs. Makkasharip Zaynukov
• Men’s Featherweight: Ibragim Ibragimov vs. Nacho Campos
• Middleweight: Mostafa Rashed Nada vs. Ahmed Sami
• Men’s Featherweight: Tariq Ismail vs. Taha Bendaoud

Why is Battle of the Giants one of the most important MMA events of the year?

There are three simple reasons. The UFC is the undisputed No. 1 MMA organization in the world, but the PFL has established itself as a true No. 2 organization in just six years.

All reasons relate to the PFL’s legitimacy as a competitor to the UFC.

First, it is the promotional debut for Ngannou, the most critical MMA free agent in the history of the sport. He left the UFC and struck a better deal with the PFL, giving him the freedom to box and a level of respect he might never have received otherwise.

Unfortunately, Ngannou has fought two boxing matches and lost both, and the most recent defeat was a devastating knockout at the hands of Anthony Joshua.

If he loses to Ferreira on Saturday, he will have earned a handsome sum for his decision to leave the UFC, but it will appear that he has lost in this situation.

The Internet is an evil and unfair place, waiting for people who have the courage to bet on themselves to fail – or look like they have failed. If Ferreira beats Ngannou – especially if he finishes him – the vultures will pounce on the Cameroonian.

There is pressure on Ngannou and the PFL.

However, the organization can pivot better than the fighter. The PFL will have a heavyweight champion who could realistically be considered one of the best – if not the best fighter in the weight class in the entire sport.

Whoever wins between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 and current interim champion Tom Aspinall will likely still get the nod ahead of Ferreira. Still, his argument is valid, as is PFL owner Donn Davis’ claim that the talent level is the same in both organizations.

I spoke with Davis in September and he explained his theory of equality as it relates to the PFL and UFC. You can listen to his concept in the video below.

Most don’t agree with Davis, as there are far fewer fighters on his roster that fans know. However, Ferreira has a chance to make a name for himself. Last but not least, the PFL picked one of the UFC champions, Ngannou, and fed him to their homegrown champion, with the latter coming out superior.

This concept of legitimacy extends beyond the main event, although Ngannou is likely the hook that will attract more fans.

Bellator middleweight champion Johnny Eblen will once again face Fabian Edwards.

Eblen is undoubtedly one of the best middleweights in the world. This card may be one of the few times MMA fans who only watch the UFC get a chance to see him.

Eblen trains at American Top Team with fighters such as Dustin Poirier, Thiago Alves, Kayla Harrison and others. I spoke to former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley earlier this month and he praised Eblen.

He could compete with any 185-pounder in the world, including at the top of the food chain in the UFC. He knows this, but he also understands the rankings from sites like Fight Matrix, which have him ranked seventh in the world.

Eblen’s appearance is an important part of this card, and fans will have a chance to see one of the best 185-pounders they’ve ever slept on.

After all, the fight between Paul Hughes and AJ McKie might be the best fight in the world. Those who have seen him know that McKie is one of the best fighters in Bellator and could probably join any promotion.

Hughes was one of the top recruits in MMA. The UFC was interested, but he chose the PFL. If Hughes can defeat McKie, it will further legitimize the promotion’s ability to sign a true top prospect and the UFC will likely continue to keep an eye on him for years to come.

All in all, this is a show you’ll want to watch as an MMA fan. Competition makes everyone involved better, and if the PFL can establish itself better, that’s good for MMA.