Since leaving the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Francis Ngannou has not yet disclosed his plans for the future but has expressed a desire to fight in a boxing bout against Tyson Fury.
Dana White, president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, confirmed this weekend that heavyweight champion Francis had left the organization after seven years. The fighter has decided to leave the promotion after 14 fights inside the octagon, with a 12-2 record for the promotion.
Ngannou, widely considered the most terrifying fighter in UFC history, has no regrets about leaving the promotion and instead plans to try boxing and fight Tyson Fury now. In an interview with the MMA Hour, The Cameroonian-French fighter recently expressed his desire to test his skills in the boxing ring too.
Dana White: “We are going to release (Francis Ngannou) from his contract. We are giving up the right to match. He can go wherever he wants and do whatever he wants”
The UFC is officially NOT SIGNING Francis Ngannou. WILD. pic.twitter.com/fryjnutgN7
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) January 15, 2023
“Yes, I still want to achieve something in boxing and I want to stay in MMA as well. I discovered MMA first in my life and I feel like I have some mileage to give in my sport. In a perfect world, I go out there get some boxing match then get some MMA, depending on the challenges that are out there.” said Francis.
“If they are out there, I want to fight the top guys in boxing. I don’t know, I think Fury has retired and come back. I don’t know where Fury is right now, but now it is time. Before, we could not do anything concrete beyond social media stuff. Whatever it is, if it is with Tyson Fury, I will take it. I have no problem doing boxing with 4oz gloves, we will figure it out. Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua would be my first ideal opponent.” Ngannou added.
#FrancisNgannou reveals the list of reasons why he wasn’t able to come to terms on a new deal with the #UFC. 👀🏆
🎥 The MMA Hour pic.twitter.com/3gjtDKdkkt
— Parry Punch (@ParryPunchNews) January 18, 2023
As Fury is currently in the process of preparing for his upcoming fight against Usyk, he has not yet provided a response to the challenge issued by the former UFC fighter. Keeping this in mind, Ngannou is also taking Anthony Joshua into consideration as a potential opponent in the ring.
“If they are out there, I want to fight the top guys in boxing. I don’t know, I think Fury has retired and come back. I don’t know where Fury is right now, but now it is time. Before, we could not do anything concrete beyond social media stuff. Whatever it is, if it is with Tyson Fury, I will take it. I have no problem doing boxing with 4oz gloves, we will figure it out. Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua would be my first ideal opponent.”
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou wants to compete against the best if he makes the jump to boxing 🥊 pic.twitter.com/YUV0MnZYLP
— ESPN Ringside (@ESPNRingside) January 17, 2023
The Predator prevailed against a number of notable fighters, including Stipe Miocic, Cain Velasquez, Ciryl Gane, Curtis Blaydes, Junior dos Santos, and Alistair Overeem. In your opinion, how likely is it that The Gypsy King will agree to face The Predator?
