PFL Announces Fight Card for Riyadh's 'Battle of the Giants'

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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PFL Announces Fight Card for Riyadh's 'Battle of the Giants'

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has finalized the fight card for its highly anticipated "Battle of the Giants" event, set to take place in Riyadh on October 19, SPA reported.
The main event will feature a heavyweight clash between mixed martial arts (MMA) superstar Francis Ngannou and reigning PFL heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira. This title fight will determine the inaugural PFL Super Champion.
In the co-main event, women's featherweight champion Cris Cyborg will face off against Larissa Pacheco, the two-division PFL champion, in a highly anticipated match to crown the greatest fighter in MMA history.
The card also includes a rematch between middleweight world champion Johnny Eblen and Fabian Edwards, who also faced off in 2023, with Eplin securing victory via technical knockout.
Former featherweight world champion A. J. McKee will square off against rising star Paul Hughes in another exciting matchup. Hughes, with an impressive professional record of 11 wins and one loss, is considered a dangerous contender in the featherweight division.
The "Battle of the Giants" promises to be an action-packed event featuring top-tier MMA talent.



Paolini Parts Ways with Coach after Early Wimbledon Exit

Jasmine Paolini of Italy leaves the court after losing her Women's 2nd round match at the Wimbledon Championships, Wimbledon, Britain, 02 July 2025.  EPA/TOLGA AKMEN
Jasmine Paolini of Italy leaves the court after losing her Women's 2nd round match at the Wimbledon Championships, Wimbledon, Britain, 02 July 2025. EPA/TOLGA AKMEN
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Paolini Parts Ways with Coach after Early Wimbledon Exit

Jasmine Paolini of Italy leaves the court after losing her Women's 2nd round match at the Wimbledon Championships, Wimbledon, Britain, 02 July 2025.  EPA/TOLGA AKMEN
Jasmine Paolini of Italy leaves the court after losing her Women's 2nd round match at the Wimbledon Championships, Wimbledon, Britain, 02 July 2025. EPA/TOLGA AKMEN

World number four Jasmine Paolini has parted company with coach Marc Lopez just days after her second-round exit from Wimbledon, the Italian said.

Paolini, who last year became the first Italian woman in the Open era to reach the Wimbledon final, lost 4-6 6-4 6-4 to Russian Kamilla Rakhimova last week.

The 29-year-old began working with Lopez in April after ending a decade-long partnership with Renzo Furlan.

Under the guidance of Lopez, a former doubles world number three who was once part of Rafa Nadal's coaching team, Paolini won her second WTA 1000-level crown at the Italian Open and also lifted the women's doubles title at the French Open.

"We had some great results together. Especially in Rome and Paris," Paolini wrote on social media on Monday, according to Reuters. "I appreciate all the hard work and energy Marc gave every day.

"Now that this part of the season is over, I've decided to make a change. "I've learned a lot and made good progress. And now I'm taking the time to reflect on what the next step will be. Thank you again, Marc, for everything."a