LAS VEGAS – After almost three years and two high-profile boxing matches, former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou makes his long-awaited return to mixed martial arts Saturday when he takes on reigning PFL heavyweight champ Renan Ferreira in the main event of the promotion's "Battle of the Giants" (ESPN+, pay-per-view).

Before Ngannou steps inside the cage, we take an "Inside Look" at Xtreme Couture with Ngannou's longtime head coach, Eric Nicksick, who gave us an all-access pass to the gym that UFC legend Randy Couture founded in 2007. The gym has served as the home base for Ngannou, former UFC champions Sean Strickland and Miesha Tate, as well as a host of more big names from the UFC, PFL and Bellator.

"There's something about this gym and what happens inside these walls that builds character, builds men, turns people into better individuals," Nicksick said. "That's always what has kept me here at Xtreme and why I love this place so much."

You can watch the full video above and on our YouTube channel.

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Video: 'Inside Look' at Xtreme Couture with coach Eric Nicksick