There’s no denying that Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou is one of the most terrifying fighters in all of combat sports. Based on sheer size, athletic ability, and record-setting punching power, “Predator” is the last person you would ever want to pick a fight with.
But how does Ngannou stack up against other premier athletes in the world, such as NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal?
Ngannou and Shaq actually met last year at UFC’s Performance Institute in Las Vegas. The two men stood side-by-side and it was clear that Shaq had a significant size advantage. That was always going to be the case as “The Big Aristotle” is one of the most intimidating basketball players of all time. He stands seven-feet tall and weighs around 300 pounds.
It wasn’t until now that fight fans get to see an extended version of that meeting. Ngannou released unseen video footage (shown above) earlier this week via Twitter, showing himself lifting Shaq above his head as if the former NBA star was a little girl.
“Shaq you’re not so heavy as I thought. That’s probably why you could fly on the court,” wrote Ngannou
This is quite incredible when you consider the size of Shaq and how effortlessly Ngannou is able to carry him off the ground. It just goes to show that “Predator” is in a league of his own at heavyweight when it comes to size, strength, and physical dominance.
It also makes you wonder how current UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic was able to dominate Ngannou when the two fought for the title back at UFC 220.
Ngannou, 33, has captured three-straight first-round knockouts after dropping back-to-back Octagon appearances to Miocic and Derrick Lewis in 2018. The former heavyweight title challenger has done enough to earn another shot at Miocic’s belt, but that spot is currently being reserved for Daniel Cormier.
That leaves “Predator” left to challenge rising knockout sensation Jairzinho Rozenstruick on UFC’s proposed mega-card next month.