Former UFC champion Francis Ngannou in Talks for Boxing Match Against Derek Chisora on Epic Heavyweight Card
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou may have found his next opponent in the boxing ring. The 36-year-old fighter, who left the UFC earlier this year in pursuit of a lucrative boxing career, is in discussions to face Derek Chisora on the same night as the highly anticipated bouts between Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder, and Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.
Promoter Eddie Hearn revealed the potential matchup, stating, “There are rumours for a third fight for that night in December which could be Ngannou against Chisora. I actually quite like that fight because I don’t see Francis being competitive against Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua, but more competitive against Chisora.”
The event is expected to take place in Saudi Arabia, with Skills Challenge Promotions leading the way to secure the hosting rights. As negotiations continue, the fighters involved are looking forward to substantial paydays, with Joshua and Wilder confirming they have already received offers.
Fans are buzzing with anticipation over the possibility of witnessing Francis Ngannou go toe-to-toe with Derek Chisora. Share your predictions in the comments section below.
Francis Ngannou Fires Back at Dana White Over Failed Jon Jones Fight
Francis Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion, expressed his disappointment with UFC President Dana White’s recent remarks on the Pat McAfee show. Ngannou, who recently signed with the Professional Fighters League (PFL), voiced his disagreement with White’s comments regarding a potential fight between Ngannou and former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
Ngannou’s decision to join PFL last month came after he was offered significant opportunities within the organization, including equity and leadership roles. The deal allowed Ngannou to seek boxing matches in addition to his role as the PFL Africa chairman and a seat on the athlete advisory board.
Before finalizing his agreement with PFL, Ngannou had been in talks to face Jon Jones, but the fight failed to materialize. As a result, the UFC severed ties with Ngannou, and he was forced to vacate the promotion’s heavyweight title.
In March of this year, Jon Jones claimed the vacant UFC heavyweight title by defeating Ciryl Gane in just 124 seconds with a submission. Despite their divergent paths, the question of who is the “baddest man on the planet” continues to be a topic of debate between Jones and Ngannou.
The conversation surrounding this rivalry was reignited when Ngannou and Jones came face to face at a recent PFL event in Atlanta. The confrontation sparked further speculation among fight fans.
During a recent appearance on the Pat McAfee show, Dana White was asked about the Jones-Ngannou staredown. White expressed his belief that a cross-promotional fight between the two would not work, adding, “Jon Jones wanted that fight the whole time. We tried to make the fight with Francis… Yea.”
Ngannou, clearly affected by White’s comments, responded to the video by quote tweeting it and stating, “No Pat, Jonny was on vacation for 3 years while I sat there waiting 🙄.”
The tension between Ngannou and Jones has fans wondering how a heavyweight fight between the two would have unfolded. The missed opportunity to see these two exceptional athletes collide leaves fight enthusiasts speculating on who would emerge as the true “baddest man on the planet.”
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