Francis Ngannou (17-3 MMA, 0-2 Boxing), the French-Cameroonian professional mixed martial artist, has become the centre of attention of fight fans worldwide. His seismic power and remarkable journey from poverty to UFC Heavyweight Champion have made him a compelling figure in combat sports, and his recent endeavour into professional boxing has been making all the headlines.
After his recent boxing venture against Anthony Joshua, the question arises: Who should Francis Ngannou face next in the squared circle?
Francis Ngannou’s Potential Opponents
Ngannou’s recent clash with Anthony Joshua in Riyadh left no room for illusions. Despite his impressive showing against Tyson Fury last October, where he dropped the unbeaten WBC heavyweight champion showcased his boxing skills and almost caused an upset in a hard-fought split decision loss, it was Joshua exposed Ngannou’s limitations.
In their 10-round clash on 8th March in Riyadh, The former two-time unified world champion utterly dismantled the ex-UFC champion, knocking him down three times before a thunderous knockout in the 2nd round, emphasizing that Ngannou is, through a specific lens, still a novice when it comes to the squared circle.
With a 0-2 record as a pro boxer and having tasted defeat against two of the best heavyweight boxers of all time, there are a plethora of options that are there for Ngannou to consider for his next outing. Lets look at the most probable options below-
A rematch against Tyson Fury
A rematch with Fury remains an enticing option for Francis Ngannou to take. Their first encounter was a testament to Ngannou’s resilience and power as it was an unfamiliar sight to see “The Gypsy King” not in his dominant self in the ring. A second bout could provide redemption and a chance to prove that Ngannou’s loss to Joshua was an anomaly.
Deontay Wilder or Dillian Whyte
Ngannou has expressed interest in facing Deontay Wilder. The former WBC Heavyweight Champion possesses devastating knockout power, making this clash a tantalizing prospect. A similar case can be made for Dillian Whyte- the former interim WBC champion whose aggressive style could test Ngannou’s boxing skills. A win against either Wilder or Whyte would boost his credibility in the boxing world.
Return to MMA to face Renan Ferreira
In the wake of his PFL signing, Ngannou’s next MMA was set to be against the winner of Renan Ferreira vs. Ryan Bader– who headlined the blockbuster PFL vs. Bellator cross promotion event on 24th February. Ferreira, the 2023 PFL heavyweight champion emerged victorious- making him the one Ngannou will need to face on his return to MMA, which could also be his next move before he considers another boxing match in the future.
Francis Ngannou’s boxing journey is still unfolding. Whether he seeks redemption, a shot at the undisputed title, or new challenges, fight fans eagerly await his next move. One thing is certain: “The Predator” will continue to captivate audiences, both in the cage and the ring.
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