Ngannou Defies Odds in Boxing Debut!

Ngannou Reflects on Boxing Debut and UFC Departure

Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou faced WBC heavyweight champ Tyson Fury this past Saturday in Riyadh, in a fight coined as the “Battle of the Baddest”. Despite losing via a split decision, Ngannou’s impressive performance, lasting all 10 rounds and even dropping Fury in the third, left many believing he should have been declared the victor.

Ngannou, having parted ways with the UFC earlier this year, signed with rival MMA promotion PFL in May, gaining the flexibility to compete in boxing. This shift followed disagreements with UFC, particularly with UFC CEO Dana White who criticized Ngannou’s risk-taking and desire to box. The Fury vs. Ngannou fight was announced two months after Ngannou’s shift to PFL.

In his boxing debut, Ngannou proved himself against arguably the greatest heavyweight boxer of this generation. When asked about White’s reaction to his fight, Ngannou responded on “The MMA Hour”,

“Who cares? Dana White feels like Dana White feels. I feel like I feel. Personally, I feel great.” He added that White has been trying to provoke him by dismissing his ambitions.

Ngannou remains firm in his decisions, stating that even if his career path after UFC hadn’t led to contracts like PFL or the Tyson Fury fight, he wouldn’t regret his choices.

“I’m not doing what I don’t want to do just to please somebody,” Ngannou affirmed. He concluded by expressing satisfaction with how his career has unfolded, emphasizing that compromising his principles was never an option. “Everything’s been good,” he said.