Preview: PFL 5 ‘Delija vs. Greene’

Heavyweights

Renan Ferreira (9-4, 3-2 PFL) vs. Matheus Scheffel (17-9, 2-2 PFL)

ODDS: Ferreira (-260), Scheffel (+200)

Winless in his last three PFL appearances, the 6-foot-8 Ferreira will attempt to change his fortunes in a potential slugfest against a 2022 heavyweight finalist in Scheffel. “Problema” has obvious attributes, including a significant reach advantage, knockout power and a striking arsenal that includes solid straight punches and a variety of kicks. However, Ferreira has not managed the range well in recent bouts, and he has been controlled in the clinch and on the canvas far too easily. He did show some encouraging signs of improvement in that area in the second round of his loss to Rizvan Kuniev, as he reversed to mount and threatened with an arm-triangle choke and an armbar. The rest of the fight, however, saw Kuniev impose his will in the clinch and through takedowns in a unanimous decision triumph.

The good news for Ferreira? Scheffel has never been one to shy away from a brawl. That was to his detriment in a rematch with Bruno Cappelozza, as his willingness to pressure and trade led to a first-round stoppage loss; it was later overturned when Cappelozza failed a drug test. The former Dana White’s Contender Series competitor has solid power in his hands and is capable of landing impactful low kicks, which could prove useful against a rangy foe like Ferreira. However, his chin does not always hold up—as evidenced by the seven KO/TKO defeats on his ledger—and he can be susceptible to counters.

Perhaps Scheffel will look to change his usual approach and force Ferreira to wrestle, which will tax the Team Nogueira representative’s gas tank and limit his striking opportunities. It seems just as likely that Scheffel resorts to his brawling tendencies at some point, and Ferreira, for all his flaws, has the tools to make him pay. Ferreira by KO/TKO.

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