Francis Ngannou
The Predator
Cameroon
Impresses in boxing debut
Ngannou lost to Tyson Fury via split decision (93-96, 95-94, 94-95) in his professional boxing debut at the "Battle of the Baddest" on Saturday in Saudi Arabia.
ANALYSIS
Despite entering this fight against the heavyweight champion as large as a (+750) betting underdog, Ngannou was far more competitive than anyone in the boxing world gave him credit for. MMA fans have long known that Ngannou doesn't even have to land clean in order to put his opponent to sleep, and Fury found that out first-hand Saturday. Late in Round 3, Ngannou put the whole boxing world on notice when a left hand sent Fury crashing to the canvas. Fury was able to get back up and rally to complete all ten rounds, but Ngannou clearly had the biggest moment of the fight. Per Compubox, Ngannou out-landed Fury 37-to-32 in terms of power punches, but it was Fury who did considerably more work to the body and landed far more jabs. That ultimately gave him the nod from the judges, but Fury did say after the fight that he'll entertain a rematch down the road. He first needs to defend his undisputed heavyweight title against Oleksandr Usyk on Dec. 23, though given Fury was tested considerably here, it's unclear if that will happen. Ngannou, meanwhile, will likely set his sights on competing under the banner of PFL, the MMA promotion he signed with in May.
Despite entering this fight against the heavyweight champion as large as a (+750) betting underdog, Ngannou was far more competitive than anyone in the boxing world gave him credit for. MMA fans have long known that Ngannou doesn't even have to land clean in order to put his opponent to sleep, and Fury found that out first-hand Saturday. Late in Round 3, Ngannou put the whole boxing world on notice when a left hand sent Fury crashing to the canvas. Fury was able to get back up and rally to complete all ten rounds, but Ngannou clearly had the biggest moment of the fight. Per Compubox, Ngannou out-landed Fury 37-to-32 in terms of power punches, but it was Fury who did considerably more work to the body and landed far more jabs. That ultimately gave him the nod from the judges, but Fury did say after the fight that he'll entertain a rematch down the road. He first needs to defend his undisputed heavyweight title against Oleksandr Usyk on Dec. 23, though given Fury was tested considerably here, it's unclear if that will happen. Ngannou, meanwhile, will likely set his sights on competing under the banner of PFL, the MMA promotion he signed with in May.
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Inks deal with PFL
Ngannou has signed with the Professional Fighters League, the promotion announced early Tuesday morning.
ANALYSIS
Ngannou left the UFC as the heavyweight champion while riding a six-fight winning streak, making him one of the most coveted free agents in MMA history. After talks fell through with the UFC, Ngannou spent several months shopping his talents around and had discussions with multiple promotions before ultimately choosing the PFL. According to the New York Times, Ngannou's deal will give him a significant pay raise, the freedom to compete in a boxing role outside the PFL, as well as a leadership role, as he'll become the chairman of P.F.L. Africa, "an expansion initiative to produce events on the continent." In addition to getting a big pay raise himself, Ngannou also apparently has secured a $2 million payday for whoever he fights next, per Damon Martin of MMAFighting.com. It's quite possibly the most any individual fighter has done for fighter pay in the history over the sport, and certainly makes PFL a more competitive and attractive landing spot for future free agents. Ngannou has yet to officially announce his first fight with the promotion.
Ngannou left the UFC as the heavyweight champion while riding a six-fight winning streak, making him one of the most coveted free agents in MMA history. After talks fell through with the UFC, Ngannou spent several months shopping his talents around and had discussions with multiple promotions before ultimately choosing the PFL. According to the New York Times, Ngannou's deal will give him a significant pay raise, the freedom to compete in a boxing role outside the PFL, as well as a leadership role, as he'll become the chairman of P.F.L. Africa, "an expansion initiative to produce events on the continent." In addition to getting a big pay raise himself, Ngannou also apparently has secured a $2 million payday for whoever he fights next, per Damon Martin of MMAFighting.com. It's quite possibly the most any individual fighter has done for fighter pay in the history over the sport, and certainly makes PFL a more competitive and attractive landing spot for future free agents. Ngannou has yet to officially announce his first fight with the promotion.
No longer with UFC
UFC president Dana White said Saturday that Ngannou (knee) has been released from his contract, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Though White said Ngannou was offered a contract that would have made him the highest-paid heavyweight fighter in the history of the UFC, the 36-year-old ultimately didn't feel he was being fairly confident. With no new agreement in place, Ngannou is free to sign with another promotion and has vacated the UFC's heavyweight belt. Jon Jones and Ciryl Gane are now set to battle for the belt at UFC 285 on March 4.
Though White said Ngannou was offered a contract that would have made him the highest-paid heavyweight fighter in the history of the UFC, the 36-year-old ultimately didn't feel he was being fairly confident. With no new agreement in place, Ngannou is free to sign with another promotion and has vacated the UFC's heavyweight belt. Jon Jones and Ciryl Gane are now set to battle for the belt at UFC 285 on March 4.
Won't return until 2023
Ngannou (knee) said Friday that he is targeting early 2023 for his return to competition, Marc Raimondi of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
Ngannou's initial recovery timeline was expected to be 9-to-10 months post-op, but the heavyweight champ told ESPN on Friday that "[he's] not very strong on that knee yet," and has yet to resume training, so early 2023 seems like a more realistic timetable given the circumstances. Ngannou's current UFC contract situation remains fluid, so it's unclear if The Predator will return to the Octagon right away once he's healthy, or pursue other opportunities in boxing or elsewhere.
Ngannou's initial recovery timeline was expected to be 9-to-10 months post-op, but the heavyweight champ told ESPN on Friday that "[he's] not very strong on that knee yet," and has yet to resume training, so early 2023 seems like a more realistic timetable given the circumstances. Ngannou's current UFC contract situation remains fluid, so it's unclear if The Predator will return to the Octagon right away once he's healthy, or pursue other opportunities in boxing or elsewhere.
Facing nine-month recovery
Ngannou's manager, Marquel Martin, said Wednesday that the 35-year-old will soon undergo surgery to address a torn MCL and damaged ACL of his right knee, Brett Okamoto of ESPN.com reports. Ngannou is expected to require 9-to-10 months of recovery time.
ANALYSIS
Ngannou suffered the knee injury leading up to his fight last Saturday with Ciryl Gane, but it didn't prevent him unifying the UFC heavyweight championship when he was able to score an unanimous-decision victory. According to Okamoto, Ngannou plans to briefly visit his home country of Cameroon before then returning to the United States to have his knee surgically repaired. His timeline for recovery likely rules Ngannou out from competing again until at least the final quarter of 2022.
Ngannou suffered the knee injury leading up to his fight last Saturday with Ciryl Gane, but it didn't prevent him unifying the UFC heavyweight championship when he was able to score an unanimous-decision victory. According to Okamoto, Ngannou plans to briefly visit his home country of Cameroon before then returning to the United States to have his knee surgically repaired. His timeline for recovery likely rules Ngannou out from competing again until at least the final quarter of 2022.
Details serious knee injury
Ngannou told reporters during the UFC 270 press conference that he competed with a torn MCL and several other damaged ligaments in his victory over Ciryl Gane to retain the heavyweight title on Saturday, USA Today reports.
ANALYSIS
Ngannou came into this bout wearing knee braces, which is allowed in California but not something he previously had done in his UFC career. Now we know why, which makes his victory all the more impressive, especially considering he had to grind out a 25-minute decision at far less than 100 percent. Ngannou also confirmed with Ariel Helwani on the MMA Hour that he will eventually need surgery, though a timeline has yet to be established. That's not the only obstacle Ngannou is facing with respect to his next fight, as the soon-to-be free agent remains in a contract dispute with Dana White and UFC brass. That feud seemed to continue into Saturday night, as it was mysteriously not White who placed the belt around Ngannou following his victory. Given Ngannou has openly talked about trying out boxing as well in the past, it's far from a guarantee that we see him in the UFC again, even if he is currently the undisputed heavyweight champion.
Ngannou came into this bout wearing knee braces, which is allowed in California but not something he previously had done in his UFC career. Now we know why, which makes his victory all the more impressive, especially considering he had to grind out a 25-minute decision at far less than 100 percent. Ngannou also confirmed with Ariel Helwani on the MMA Hour that he will eventually need surgery, though a timeline has yet to be established. That's not the only obstacle Ngannou is facing with respect to his next fight, as the soon-to-be free agent remains in a contract dispute with Dana White and UFC brass. That feud seemed to continue into Saturday night, as it was mysteriously not White who placed the belt around Ngannou following his victory. Given Ngannou has openly talked about trying out boxing as well in the past, it's far from a guarantee that we see him in the UFC again, even if he is currently the undisputed heavyweight champion.