Renan Ferreira and Matheus Shevell both suffered losses in the first leg of the 2023 Pro League season.
However, the Brazilian weightlifters are getting a new life after rivals Ridouane Konev and Bruno Cabeloza tested positive for banned substances in connection with their fights.
Ferreira and Shevel will likely need a win to advance to the NFL postseason heavyweights, and both are focused on earning the six points that come with a first-round finish. Ferreira and Shevell will face off on the PFL 5 main card this Friday at the Overtime Elite Arena in Atlanta.
“I’m not going to lose this second chance,” Ferreira told Sherdog.com. “Matheus has heavy hands, but I am 100% focused on getting a quick victory to secure a place in the play-off.
While the 6-foot-9 Ferreira, who was nicknamed “Problem” for the difficulties he gave his sparring partners, might be seen as the favourite, Shevell wasn’t fazed by the odds.
He said, “In all my battles I go as if it were my first appearance.” “I’m still fighting for first place in the first stage. This was one of the best camps of my entire career and I’m going to put it into the fight.
“I’ll fight as I always do, always looking for the knockout or submission. Renan is a big guy and if he’s a ‘problem’, you can be sure I’m the ‘solution’.