With a small break in major boxing and MMA fights to start the year, Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou have decided to reignite interest in fighting one another. They both have different ideas on how they would go about it.
Over the past few months, Ngannou has discussed fighting inside the boxing ring. The current UFC heavyweight champion has 26 wins in MMA, with 12 of them via knockout. His past five fights have ended thanks to the power punch. A while back, Ngannou and Fury spoke about potentially fighting one another. Ngannou even recruited Mike Tyson to train him.
Fury, who has trained with MMA fighters in the past, had an interesting proposal regarding a fighting Ngannou: a boxing fight with MMA gloves.
“Who would like to see me fight this beast boxing rules @ufc gloves? @danawhite @francis_ngannou”
Who would like to see me fight this beast boxing rules @ufc gloves?@danawhite @francis_ngannou pic.twitter.com/xONNoT8NzR
— TYSON FURY (@Tyson_Fury) January 6, 2022
The WBC heavyweight champion, Fury is coming off a trilogy fight against Deontay Wilder. After a draw in the first fight, Fury dominated Wilder in the second fight. Wilder’s corner stopped the fight after multiple knockdowns. In the third fight, considered a Fight of the Year candidate, both fighters were knocked down several times. Fury, the lineal champion, knocked out Wilder in the 11th.
Hoping to face the winner of Oleksandr Usyk vs. Anthony Joshua this year for the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO titles, Fury has a list of opponents he could face. Dillian Whyte, Robert Helenius and Andy Ruiz Jr. are several fighters who could compete for the WBC heavyweight title.
Ngannou made his MMA debut in 2013. Joining the UFC in 2015, he quickly became a contender. After losing two in a row, one being against Stipe Miocic for the UFC heavyweight title, Ngannou won five straight fights, the last one against Miocic in March 2021 for the title.
Set to face Ciryl Gane for the undisputed UFC heavyweight title at UFC 270, Ngannou is very much interested in a fight. He proposed a different stipulation for the Fury bout.
“How about MMA rules with boxing gloves? I can do you that favor,” Ngannou replied on Twitter.
Fury then replied, “You want to come in to my world calling me & wilder out to a boxing match. what i can guarantee you would be knocked out & also paid your highest purse to be so! so have a think”
Ngannou’s fight with Gane is the last one under his current UFC deal. While he is dealing with issues regarding the UFC and his contract, he's hoping to secure a new one. The deal he wants would include a trip to the boxing world to face Fury.
MORE: Francis Ngannou believes former gym released video designed to 'make me look bad' ahead of UFC 270
