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Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) heavyweight title contender, Francis Ngannou, wants to work his way back up to a 265-pound title shot. But that’s not something he can do from home, sitting on the couch, which explains all that chirping on social media.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t sound like the promotion is ready to commit to giving “The Predator” the winner of the Stipe Miocic vs. Daniel Cormier rubber match after they collide at some point in early 2020. And calls for a Jon Jones super fight have also fallen on deaf ears.
Maybe he just needs the right “Ticket.”
“Somebody sent me an article today where Ngannou was a little frustrated. He mentioned my name. That’s a fight I’ve always wanted,” Harris told MMA Fighting. “When I get the win over (Alistair) Overeem, it would put me at the cusp of what I came here to do. Him, Derrick Lewis, any of ’em, man. All these heavyweights, I feel like I match up well with all of them. I feel like I bring something to the table where they’re gonna really have to grind and get themselves ready for me. I want to go up from here.”
Harris (13-7, 1 NC) may not have the reach of Ngannou — 77” compared to 83” — but he’s an inch taller at 6’5” and ended all 13 of his wins by way of brutal knockout (sample). In addition, he hasn’t lost in four trips to the cage and stands at No. 10 in the division rankings.
Harris can certainly improve that position with a convincing finish over longtime veteran Alistair Overeem. “The Big Ticket” headlines the UFC on ESPN 7 event opposite “Demolition Man” on Sat., Dec. 7, 2019, inside Capital One Arena in Washington D.C. (details here).
I guess we’ll see if “The Predator” is willing to wait that long.