Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is gearing up to make his boxing debut in July, hopefully facing a big name.<\/p>\n
“The Predator” has been on hiatus since his heavyweight title defense against Cyril Gaine at UFC 270. Despite battling a devastating knee injury, Naganow used wrestling to clinch the win en route to a unanimous decision victory last January.<\/p>\n
The win was significant for the heavyweight champion as it was his first title defense. More importantly, Ngannou’s contract was expected to expire that December. thus giving him the possibility of leaving his promotion as champion.<\/p>\n
Despite a reported $8 million offer, Francis Ngannou declined to re-sign with the UFC. As a result, he was stripped of his title and is now a free agent. The UFC then scheduled him Jon Jones vs. Cyril Gaine in March for the vacant heavyweight championship.<\/p>\n
The former champion has since admitted he’s not mad at the UFC, even saying he might return one day. MMA Hour<\/em>So he revealed plans to box in July in his first professional bout.<\/p>\n Beyond that, the former UFC fighter listed Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua as ideal opponents.<\/p>\n “Hopefully somewhere, the latest is July [for when I\u2019d return], I would say yes.gannou said MMA Hour<\/em> With Ariel Helwani. “Hopefully at least twice this year. My gut says boxing, pro boxing [bout]I don’t know where it is, so I’ll look for it. i am working on it now. “<\/p>\n He continued: Time… whatever it is, with Tyson Fury, I’ll take it. You know, I have no problem boxing in 4 oz gloves.Maybe with four ounce gloves on, maybe in a cage, we’ll figure it out. Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua [makes sense as my first boxing match]”<\/p>\n Francis Ngannou’s comments about Tyson Fury’s boxing aren’t surprising. After knocking out White, he entered the ring.<\/p>\n![\"Francis](\"https:\/\/www.bjpenn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Francis-Ngannou.jpg\")
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