Renan Ferreira

Thalles Renan Ferreira (born 23 November 1989) is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Heavyweight division. He has previously competed for the Professional Fighters League (PFL), where he won the 2023 PFL Heavyweight Championship and in the Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA).

Background Before pursuing a full-time career in fighting, Ferreira worked as a private security guard and construction worker. His journey into mixed martial arts began in 2013 when he trained in jiu-jitsu at a social project for low-income kids in Brasilia. Three years later, after moving to Rio de Janeiro, he left his previous jobs to focus exclusively on MMA.

Moving to Rio marked a significant turning point in his career, as he trained at the gym of MMA legends, the twins Big Nog and Lil Nog. At the gym, he interacted with former UFC stars as Jacare Souza and Junior dos Santos.

Mixed martial arts career Early career Ferreira started his professional MMA career in 2013, amassed a record of 5–1 before signing with the Legacy Fighting Alliance.

Legacy Fighting Alliance In his LFA debut, Ferreira faced Brett Martin on June 28, 2019, at LFA 70. He lost the bout by disqualification as a result of illegal strikes.

Ferreira faced Jared Vanderaa on August 30, 2019, at LFA 74. He won the bout via triangle choke submission in the second round.

Professional Fighters League 2021 season Ferreira made his promotional debut against Fabrício Werdum on May 6, 2021, at PFL 3. He initially won the fight via technical knockout in the first round. However, the result was surrounded by controversy, as replays showed Ferreira tapping out while Werdum had him in a triangle choke before Ferreira finished Werdum. On May 10, the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board announced that Ferreira's TKO win against Werdum was overturned to a no contest due to his controversial stoppage.

Ferreira was then scheduled to face 2019 Professional Fighters League season Heavyweight Champion Ali Isaev on June 25, 2021, at PFL 6. However, Isaev was forced to withdraw from the event after not being medically cleared to compete and was replaced by PFL newcomer Stuart Austin. Austin was subsequently pulled from the bout for unknown reasons and replaced by returning PFL fighter, Carl Seumanutafa. Ferreira won the bout via unanimous decision.

2022 season Starting the 2022 season, Ferreira faced Jamelle Jones on April 28, 2022, at PFL 2. He won the bout by first-round knockout.

On June 24, 2022, Ferreira faced Klidson Abreu at PFL 5. He initially lost the bout by unanimous decision; however, the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission later overturned the result to a no contest after Abreu failed a drug test for unspecified substances.

Ferreira then faced Ante Delija on August 13, 2022, at PFL 8, where he lost the bout by first-round TKO.

2023 season In the 2023 season, Ferreira started by going up against Rizvan Kuniev on April 7, 2023, at PFL 2. He initially lost the fight by unanimous decision, but the result was changed to a no contest when Kuniev failed a drug test.

Ferreira fought Matheus Scheffel on June 16, 2023, at PFL 5, winning the bout by first-round knockout.

In the semi-finals, Ferreira faced Maurice Greene on August 18, 2023, at PFL 8, winning the fight via knockout in the first round.

Heading into the finals of the heavyweight tournament, Ferreira faced Denis Goltsov on November 24, 2023, at PFL 10. He won the bout by second-round TKO, claiming the 2023 Heavyweight tournament title and the $1 million collective prize.

2024 Ferreira faced Bellator Heavyweight Champion Ryan Bader in a three-round non-title crossover fight on February 24, 2024, at PFL vs. Bellator. He won the bout by knockout just twenty-one seconds into the first round.

Ferreira fought former UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou for the PFL Heavyweight Superfight Championship on October 19, 2024, at PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants. He lost the fight by knockout due to ground punches in the first round.

2025 Ferreira faced former Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion Vadim Nemkov for the vacant PFL Heavyweight Championship on December 13, 2025, at PFL Europe 4. He lost the fight via submission in the first round.

2026 Ferreira faced Sergey Bilostenniy on May 2, 2026, at PFL Sioux Falls. He lost the fight via technical knockout in round three.

Championships and accomplishments Professional Fighters League 2023 PFL World Heavyweight Championship Tournament PFL vs. Bellator Champion of Champions World Heavyweight Superfight Championship (One time)

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Sergey Bilostenniy TKO (punches) PFL Sioux Falls: Storley vs. Zendeli

Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States Loss

Vadim Nemkov Submission (arm-triangle choke) PFL Lyon: Nemkov vs. Ferreira

Décines-Charpieu, France Loss

Francis Ngannou KO (punches) PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Win

Ryan Bader TKO (punches) PFL vs. Bellator

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Win

Denis Goltsov TKO (punches) PFL 10 (2023)

Washington, D.C., United States Win

Maurice Greene KO (punches) PFL 8 (2023)

New York City, New York, United States Win

Matheus Scheffel KO (punch) PFL 5 (2023)

Atlanta, Georgia, United States NC

Rizvan Kuniev NC (overturned) PFL 2 (2023)

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Ante Delija TKO (punches) PFL 8 (2022)

Cardiff, Wales NC

Klidson Abreu NC (overturned) PFL 5 (2022)

Atlanta, Georgia, United States Win

Jamelle Jones KO (front kick and punches) PFL 2 (2022)

Arlington, Texas, United States Win

Stuart Austin KO (punch) PFL 8 (2021)

Hollywood, Florida, United States Win

Carl Seumanutafa Decision (unanimous) PFL 6 (2021)

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States NC

Fabrício Werdum NC (overturned) PFL 3 (2021)

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Jared Vanderaa Submission (triangle choke) LFA 74

Riverside, California, United States Loss

Brett Martin DQ (illegal strikes) LFA 70

Madison, Wisconsin, United States Win

Fabrício Almeida TKO (punches) Future FC 3

Indaiatuba, Brazil Win

Tiago Cardoso KO (punches) New Corpore Extreme 30

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Win

Carlos Ruan Pereira de Araújo KO (punches) Festival de Lutas da CUFA 6

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Loss

Vinicius Moreira Submission (armbar) FAM Fight Night 1

Goiânia, Brazil Win

Alexandre Sabara TKO (retirement) Acai do Japa Fight 2

Paranoá, Brazil Win

Marcio Marques TKO (punches) MMA Fest: Porangatu

Porangatu, Brazil Pay-per-view bouts +NoEventFightDateVenueCityPPV buys1.PFL vs. BellatorFerreira vs. BaderFebruary 24, 2024Kingdom ArenaRiyadh, Saudi ArabiaNot Disclosed 2.PFL Super Fights: Battle of the GiantsNgannou vs. FerreiraOctober 19, 2024The MayadeenRiyadh, Saudi ArabiaNot Disclosed