Category: Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou

Dana White: Francis Ngannou going 10 rounds with Tyson Fury was ‘unbelievable’

Dana White: Francis Ngannou going 10 rounds with Tyson Fury was “unbelievable.”

Editor’s note: This article was originally published at MMAJunkie.com.

***

Dana White is amazed Francis Ngannou went the distance with Tyson Fury.

Not only did Ngannou go the full 10 rounds with the heavyweight titleholder in their crossover boxing match this past Saturday in Saudi Arabia, but he knocked Fury down in a fight many thought he won.

Although White wasn’t happy with Ngannou’s departure from the UFC and shut the door on him ever returning, that didn’t stop him from praising the former heavyweight champion’s effort.

“I didn’t see the fight, but the fact that he went 10 rounds with Tyson Fury is crazy,” White said on Donald Trump Jr.’s Triggered podcast. “He just went 10 rounds with Tyson Fury. Conor (McGregor) made it 9 or 10 with Floyd.

“Anthony Pettis just beat Roy Jones Jr. I know Roy is friggin’ 60 years old or whatever. But I don’t know what the hell is going on. It’s crazy. I didn’t see the fight, but the fact that he went 10 rounds is unbelievable.”

When asked if Ngannou’s boxing success hurt the UFC, White scoffed at the notion.

“I don’t care,” White said. “Listen, these guys, at some point, everybody is going to move on. Everybody has to do what’s right for them and make money for their families, so whatever they’ve got to do, they’ve got to do.”

White has long been critical of the boxing model to the point that he considered launching Zuffa Boxing. Trump Jr. cited corrupt decisions in boxing and how there’s no real control of the money.

“It’s not even the corruption – you can’t build a business off it,” White responded. “The key to having something is building a business. When you talk about the NFL, the NBA, MLB, they took football, basketball and baseball and created a business out of it.

“That’s what we did with fighting, and it just can’t be done with boxing. It’s too crazy.”

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Dana White: Francis Ngannou going 10 rounds with Tyson Fury was ‘unbelievable’

Dana White: Francis Ngannou going 10 rounds with Tyson Fury was “unbelievable.”

Editor’s note: This article was originally published at MMAJunkie.com.

***

Dana White is amazed Francis Ngannou went the distance with Tyson Fury.

Not only did Ngannou go the full 10 rounds with the heavyweight titleholder in their crossover boxing match this past Saturday in Saudi Arabia, but he knocked Fury down in a fight many thought he won.

Although White wasn’t happy with Ngannou’s departure from the UFC and shut the door on him ever returning, that didn’t stop him from praising the former heavyweight champion’s effort.

“I didn’t see the fight, but the fact that he went 10 rounds with Tyson Fury is crazy,” White said on Donald Trump Jr.’s Triggered podcast. “He just went 10 rounds with Tyson Fury. Conor (McGregor) made it 9 or 10 with Floyd.

“Anthony Pettis just beat Roy Jones Jr. I know Roy is friggin’ 60 years old or whatever. But I don’t know what the hell is going on. It’s crazy. I didn’t see the fight, but the fact that he went 10 rounds is unbelievable.”

When asked if Ngannou’s boxing success hurt the UFC, White scoffed at the notion.

“I don’t care,” White said. “Listen, these guys, at some point, everybody is going to move on. Everybody has to do what’s right for them and make money for their families, so whatever they’ve got to do, they’ve got to do.”

White has long been critical of the boxing model to the point that he considered launching Zuffa Boxing. Trump Jr. cited corrupt decisions in boxing and how there’s no real control of the money.

“It’s not even the corruption – you can’t build a business off it,” White responded. “The key to having something is building a business. When you talk about the NFL, the NBA, MLB, they took football, basketball and baseball and created a business out of it.

“That’s what we did with fighting, and it just can’t be done with boxing. It’s too crazy.”

[lawrence-related id=39543,39535,39529,39516,39510,39507,39503,39500,39495]

Who’s next for Francis Ngannou? Deontay Wilder? Options abound

Who’s next for Francis Ngannou? Deontay Wilder? Options abound for the MMA star-turned-boxer.

One person who wasn’t surprised by Francis Ngannou’s performance against Tyson Fury was Peter Murray.

The CEO of PFL MMA, Ngannou’s mixed martial arts promoter, expected him to do well in his boxing debut against the heavyweight boxing champion last week in Saudi Arabia. And even though Fury won a split decision, Murray believes Ngannou made an enormous statement.

“Francis was underestimated by everyone,” Murray told Boxing Junkie, “sports fans, boxing fans, combat sports fans around the world. That included Tyson Fury. Francis proved he’s the best combat sports athlete in the world.

“Now he’s got more fuel to take on the sport of boxing in addition to continuing to compete in MMA with PFL. In my opinion the [decision] went the wrong way but he came out a winner.”

What’s next after his break through?

That will be up to Ngannou, who reportedly is considering his options. You can bet the Las Vegas-based native of Cameroon will compete in both boxing and MMA going forward, probably making his decisions fight by fight depending on opportunities.

He’s a proven commodity in MMA, in which he is 17-3 (12 KOs) and was the UFC heavyweight champion. However, he became a major player in boxing over night with his strong performance against the unbeaten champion.

Fury appears to be headed toward a showdown with fellow titleholder Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed championship this winter, perhaps in February. A Fury-Ngannou rematch could come later.

And former champs Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua reportedly have been negotiating to fight one another.

Ngannou reportedly also has been in contact with Wilder, though. And, according to Murray, they could meet under hybrid boxing-MMA rules.

“Some of the best athletes, some of the best fighters in boxing would like to compete against Francis in his next bout. We’re evaluating those options and plotting his next move in MMA,” Murray said.

“And, yes, fighting Wilder is an absolute possibility under modified rules. They are two incredible athletes, Francis and Deontay. We would expand the rules. …

“We wouldn’t put Deontay in a cage with Francis under current MMA rules. With some modifications, we could level the playing field and make it really interesting for the fans.”

Of course, the negotiation process is just getting started Ngannou. And it could go on for a while. That’s what happens when you make the kind of statement he made on a huge stage.

And it doesn’t seem to matter than he’s 37 years old.

“He’s the Tom Brady of MMA,” Murray said. “There are a number of years to come.”

[lawrence-related id=39535,39507,39503,39500,39495,39488]

Who’s next for Francis Ngannou? Deontay Wilder? Options abound

Who’s next for Francis Ngannou? Deontay Wilder? Options abound for the MMA star-turned-boxer.

One person who wasn’t surprised by Francis Ngannou’s performance against Tyson Fury was Peter Murray.

The CEO of PFL MMA, Ngannou’s mixed martial arts promoter, expected him to do well in his boxing debut against the heavyweight boxing champion last week in Saudi Arabia. And even though Fury won a split decision, Murray believes Ngannou made an enormous statement.

“Francis was underestimated by everyone,” Murray told Boxing Junkie, “sports fans, boxing fans, combat sports fans around the world. That included Tyson Fury. Francis proved he’s the best combat sports athlete in the world.

“Now he’s got more fuel to take on the sport of boxing in addition to continuing to compete in MMA with PFL. In my opinion the [decision] went the wrong way but he came out a winner.”

What’s next after his break through?

That will be up to Ngannou, who reportedly is considering his options. You can bet the Las Vegas-based native of Cameroon will compete in both boxing and MMA going forward, probably making his decisions fight by fight depending on opportunities.

He’s a proven commodity in MMA, in which he is 17-3 (12 KOs) and was the UFC heavyweight champion. However, he became a major player in boxing over night with his strong performance against the unbeaten champion.

Fury appears to be headed toward a showdown with fellow titleholder Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed championship this winter, perhaps in February. A Fury-Ngannou rematch could come later.

And former champs Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua reportedly have been negotiating to fight one another.

Ngannou reportedly also has been in contact with Wilder, though. And, according to Murray, they could meet under hybrid boxing-MMA rules.

“Some of the best athletes, some of the best fighters in boxing would like to compete against Francis in his next bout. We’re evaluating those options and plotting his next move in MMA,” Murray said.

“And, yes, fighting Wilder is an absolute possibility under modified rules. They are two incredible athletes, Francis and Deontay. We would expand the rules. …

“We wouldn’t put Deontay in a cage with Francis under current MMA rules. With some modifications, we could level the playing field and make it really interesting for the fans.”

Of course, the negotiation process is just getting started Ngannou. And it could go on for a while. That’s what happens when you make the kind of statement he made on a huge stage.

And it doesn’t seem to matter than he’s 37 years old.

“He’s the Tom Brady of MMA,” Murray said. “There are a number of years to come.”

[lawrence-related id=39535,39507,39503,39500,39495,39488]

Tyson Fury after narrowly outpointing Francis Ngannou: ‘That definitely wasn’t in the script’

Tyson Fury said after his narrow victory over Francis Ngannou: “That definitely wasn’t in the script.”

What could Tyson Fury say after coming within a whisker of losing to an opponent making his boxing debut Saturday in Saudi Arabia?

MMA star Francis Ngannou lost a split decision but his ability to put the unbeaten heavyweight champ down in Round 3 and fight him on even terms was shocking.

Fury (34-0-1, 24 KOs) defeated Ngannou (0-1) by scores of 96-93, 95-94 and 94-95.

“That definitely wasn’t in the script,” Fury said afterward. “He’s a hell of a fighter and a hell of a lot better boxer than we thought he would be. He’s an awkward man and a good puncher, and I respect him a lot.”

Fury went on: “He was very awkward, he wasn’t coming forward and was waiting for me to throw. He’s given me one of my toughest fights of the last 10 years.”

The champion was asked about the knockdown. He replied: “I was caught behind the head for the knockdown. I got back up and got back to my boxing.”

And he seemed to acknowledge that the fight was close.

“I don’t know how close it was,” he said. “I got the win and that’s what it is.”

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Tyson Fury after narrowly outpointing Francis Ngannou: ‘That definitely wasn’t in the script’

Tyson Fury said after his narrow victory over Francis Ngannou: “That definitely wasn’t in the script.”

What could Tyson Fury say after coming within a whisker of losing to an opponent making his boxing debut Saturday in Saudi Arabia?

MMA star Francis Ngannou lost a split decision but his ability to put the unbeaten heavyweight champ down in Round 3 and fight him on even terms was shocking.

Fury (34-0-1, 24 KOs) defeated Ngannou (0-1) by scores of 96-93, 95-94 and 94-95.

“That definitely wasn’t in the script,” Fury said afterward. “He’s a hell of a fighter and a hell of a lot better boxer than we thought he would be. He’s an awkward man and a good puncher, and I respect him a lot.”

Fury went on: “He was very awkward, he wasn’t coming forward and was waiting for me to throw. He’s given me one of my toughest fights of the last 10 years.”

The champion was asked about the knockdown. He replied: “I was caught behind the head for the knockdown. I got back up and got back to my boxing.”

And he seemed to acknowledge that the fight was close.

“I don’t know how close it was,” he said. “I got the win and that’s what it is.”

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See two angles: Tyson Fury gets knocked down by Francis Ngannou

Watch it: Two angles of Tyson Fury getting knocked down by Francis Ngannou with a big left in Round 3.

The most shocking moment of the Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou fight on Saturday in Saudi Arabia — the most shocking moment of Fury’s career — came in Round 3.

That’s when the MMA star, making his boxing debut, put the unbeaten heavyweight champ down with a big left hand. Fury recovered to win the fight by a split decision but no one who saw it will forget him hitting the canvas.

Check it out from two different angles below.

 

See two angles: Tyson Fury gets knocked down by Francis Ngannou

Watch it: Two angles of Tyson Fury getting knocked down by Francis Ngannou with a big left in Round 3.

The most shocking moment of the Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou fight on Saturday in Saudi Arabia — the most shocking moment of Fury’s career — came in Round 3.

That’s when the MMA star, making his boxing debut, put the unbeaten heavyweight champ down with a big left hand. Fury recovered to win the fight by a split decision but no one who saw it will forget him hitting the canvas.

Check it out from two different angles below.

 

Mike Tyson sees through Tyson Fury’s mind games, hopes Francis Ngannou fights aggressively

Mike Tyson, Francis Ngannou’s trainer, says he sees through Tyson Fury’s mind games.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published at MMAJunkie.com.

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RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – According to Mike Tyson, Tyson Fury has been playing mind games with Francis Ngannou.

Fury and Ngannou will meet Saturday in a highly anticipated 10-round boxing match that pits the lineal boxing heavyweight champion against the lineal MMA heavyweight champion. Before they step in the ring, they’ve spent the week together at various media functions, including grand arrivals, open workouts and a pre-fight news conference.

Each time out, Fury has been his charismatic self in front of Ngannou. He’s called Ngannou “little man” and “a big, fat sausage” to his face multiple times as he’s mocked Ngannou’s ripped physique compared to Fury’s dad-bod figure. At the weigh-ins, Fury immediately got in Ngannou’s face and leaned into him – only to back off and laugh about it.

All in good fun, right? Tyson sees right through what Fury’s been doing.

“It’s psychological,” Tyson told MMA Junkie and other reporters Friday on the red carpet of a gala dinner. “Tyson likes to get in your head.”

Here’s the thing about playing mind games with Ngannou: He’s endured too much struggle in his life – going from a Cameroonian refugee who was smuggled into Europe to reaching the pinnacle of mixed martial arts as UFC heavyweight champion – to let Fury’s shenanigans get to him.

That’s how Tyson sees it.

“I don’t think so,” Tyson said when asked if Fury has gotten to Ngannou. “He’s very polite and very composed all the time, very sophisticated and respectful. He’s a different kind of fighter. I’ve never experienced it before as far as his demeanor.”

Given it’s Ngannou’s boxing debut, the odds are stacked against him to find meaningful success in the fight, never mind beating Fury. Tyson believes there’s only one way Ngannou can approach the fight to give himself any chance.

“Be aggressive, use the jab and come forward,” Tyson said. “In this particular fight, he’s the small guy. … As far as height, he’s the small guy. He’s gonna have to be aggressive. He can punch to the body, and he wouldn’t have to stand up. He can punch to the body and fight the taller guy (like that).”

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Mike Tyson sees through Tyson Fury’s mind games, hopes Francis Ngannou fights aggressively

Mike Tyson, Francis Ngannou’s trainer, says he sees through Tyson Fury’s mind games.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published at MMAJunkie.com.

***

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – According to Mike Tyson, Tyson Fury has been playing mind games with Francis Ngannou.

Fury and Ngannou will meet Saturday in a highly anticipated 10-round boxing match that pits the lineal boxing heavyweight champion against the lineal MMA heavyweight champion. Before they step in the ring, they’ve spent the week together at various media functions, including grand arrivals, open workouts and a pre-fight news conference.

Each time out, Fury has been his charismatic self in front of Ngannou. He’s called Ngannou “little man” and “a big, fat sausage” to his face multiple times as he’s mocked Ngannou’s ripped physique compared to Fury’s dad-bod figure. At the weigh-ins, Fury immediately got in Ngannou’s face and leaned into him – only to back off and laugh about it.

All in good fun, right? Tyson sees right through what Fury’s been doing.

“It’s psychological,” Tyson told MMA Junkie and other reporters Friday on the red carpet of a gala dinner. “Tyson likes to get in your head.”

Here’s the thing about playing mind games with Ngannou: He’s endured too much struggle in his life – going from a Cameroonian refugee who was smuggled into Europe to reaching the pinnacle of mixed martial arts as UFC heavyweight champion – to let Fury’s shenanigans get to him.

That’s how Tyson sees it.

“I don’t think so,” Tyson said when asked if Fury has gotten to Ngannou. “He’s very polite and very composed all the time, very sophisticated and respectful. He’s a different kind of fighter. I’ve never experienced it before as far as his demeanor.”

Given it’s Ngannou’s boxing debut, the odds are stacked against him to find meaningful success in the fight, never mind beating Fury. Tyson believes there’s only one way Ngannou can approach the fight to give himself any chance.

“Be aggressive, use the jab and come forward,” Tyson said. “In this particular fight, he’s the small guy. … As far as height, he’s the small guy. He’s gonna have to be aggressive. He can punch to the body, and he wouldn’t have to stand up. He can punch to the body and fight the taller guy (like that).”

[lawrence-related id=39474,39467,39452,39449,39447,39443]