Francis Ngannou vs. Deontay Wilder already in discussion for 2024 clash: ‘I think that’s a good idea’

Francis NgannouA crossover clash between Francis Ngannou and former WBC heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder is no longer just a…

Francis Ngannou

A crossover clash between Francis Ngannou and former WBC heavyweight world champion Deontay Wilder is no longer just a pipe dream.

After Ngannou’s impressive showing against Tyson Fury in Riyadh, opportunities have been practically beating down the former UFC champ’s door. Initially, the plan was for Ngannou to head back to the world of mixed martial arts to make his PFL debut following the matchup with ‘The Gypsy King,’ but that may no longer be the case given his rather shocking performance in the sweet science.

With reports that Ngannou will be ranked by the WBC, there is a world of options out there, but perhaps the most intriguing of them all is a showdown with heavyweight knockout artist Deontay Wilder.

“I think that’s a good idea,” Ngannou said of a potential fight with Wilder during his appearance on Monday’s episode of The MMA Hour. “In fact, we have spoken about that. In fact, that has been in the discussion. So, that’s something that can potentially happen.”

Francis Ngannou Believes his Fight with Deontay Wilder Could be in MMA

But don’t expect this particular matchup to be any old boxing match. Adding to his comments, Ngannou revealed that Deontay Wilder has been training in mixed martial arts for some time and is very serious about making his MMA debut sooner rather than later.

Deontay Wilder for a couple of months, for a little while now, has been training MMA because there’s an option here,” Ngannou added. “Nothing is set, but some things have been coming to my ear, to my attention, so that’s something that makes sense.”

Clearly, it’s far too early for any official announcements, but Ngannou plans to decide on what his next move will be by the end of the week. Will it be boxing? MMA? A bit of both? Only time will tell, but some type of scrap with Deontay Wilder certainly appears to be a likely candidate.

“He’s really serious about MMA,” Ngannou continued. “I know a lot of people talk, ‘Oh, I’m going to do this in boxing and do that in MMA,’ but I think Deontay Wilder is very interested in MMA, and even just to step into the Octagon for MMA and MMA only. But, again, it’s going to be hard. It’s going to be a different beast for him. Unlike this time, that I was the one experiencing climbing the mountain, he’s going to be the one climbing the mountain” (h/t MMA Mania).

Breaking Down the 5 Best Fight Options for Francis Ngannou

Francis Ngannou didn’t get the win in his highly anticipated boxing match with Tyson Fury, but the lineal MMA heavyweight champion was anything but a loser by…

Francis Ngannou didn’t get the win in his highly anticipated boxing match with Tyson Fury, but the lineal MMA heavyweight champion was anything but a loser by…

Fans call for Francis Ngannou to fight deontay wilder next after stunning boxing fight debut

Francis NgannouAfter his stunning performance against Tyson Fury, fight fans are clamoring for Francis Ngannou to face heavyweight knockout artist…

Francis Ngannou

After his stunning performance against Tyson Fury, fight fans are clamoring for Francis Ngannou to face heavyweight knockout artist Deontay Wilder.

Emanating from Kingdom Arena in Saudi Arabia, ‘The Predator’ made his professional boxing debut against ‘The Gypsy King’ in a star-studded event that delivered in every possible way. Through 10 entertaining rounds of action, Ngannou appeared to be one step ahead of Fury and put his power on display early, drawing blood and planting his opponent on the canvas with a big counter-left in the third round.

Despite his impressive showing, Francis Ngannou came up short on the scorecards, suffering a somewhat controversial split-decision defeat with only one point separating him from a well-deserved victory. Nevertheless, Ngannou’s performance will reportedly land him in the WBC’s heavyweight top ten, opening the door for some big-money matchups in the sweet science.

Speculation has already begun over who Ngannou could compete with in his next appearance inside the squared circle and the consensus has seemed to land on former WBC heavyweight champion and three-time Tyson Fury opponent, Deontay Wilder. ‘The Bronze Bomber’ is the odds-on favorite to emerge as Ngannou’s next challenge in the boxing ring and fight fans are already calling for it with utter excitement.

“Is Francis Ngannou about to become a boxing sensation?” one user questioned. “Win or lose, who doesn’t want to see Deontay Wilder fight Ngannou?”

Sign me up for Francis Ngannou vs Deontay Wilder,” another wrote on X.

With his first foray into boxing now in the books, many expected Francis Ngannou to turn his attention back toward MMA and his highly anticipated debut with the Professional Fighters League. But after his incredible performance against Fury in Riyadh, it’s possible that those plans could quickly change.

Fight Fans Call for Francis Ngannou vs. Deontay Wilder after ‘The Predator’ takes Tyson fury to the limit

Ex-Champion blasts October fight between Francis Ngannou, Tyson Fury: ‘I think it’s gonna be boring’

Francis Ngannou and Tyson Fury will be boring Deontay Wilder predicition UFC BoxingFormer WBC heavyweight champion, Deontay Wilder has claimed a scheduled October boxing clash between former UFC heavyweight kingpin, Francis Ngannou, a former three-time opponent, Tyson Fury will be nothing more than a “boring” spectacle. Slated to make his professional boxing debut over the course of 10 scheduled rounds in the Middle East, former undisputed UFC […]

Francis Ngannou and Tyson Fury will be boring Deontay Wilder predicition UFC Boxing

Former WBC heavyweight champion, Deontay Wilder has claimed a scheduled October boxing clash between former UFC heavyweight kingpin, Francis Ngannou, a former three-time opponent, Tyson Fury will be nothing more than a “boring” spectacle.

Slated to make his professional boxing debut over the course of 10 scheduled rounds in the Middle East, former undisputed UFC heavyweight kingpin, Francis Ngannou is booked to fight incumbent WBC heavyweight gold holder, Tyson Fury in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in October.

Set to make his first combat sports outing since he headlined UFC 270 back in January of last year, Batié knockout artist, Ngannou, who has employed the coaching talents of former world champion, Mike Tyson, most recently landed a unanimous decision win over Ciryl Gane to successfully unify the UFC titles.

As for Fury, the outspoken Morecambe native has been sidelined himself since December last, on that occasions defeating Derek Chisora for the third time in his professional career to defend the WBC title.

Deontay Wilder criticizes Francis Ngannou’s clash with Tyson Fury in October

However, as per Alabama native, Wilder, the former WBC heavyweight best has predicted a wholly “boring” pairing of Ngannou and Fury when they share the squared circle in two months’ time.

“I think it’s gonna be boring, in my gut, I feel it’s gonna be boring,” Deontay Wilder told ESNews during a recent interview. “I don’t think it’s gonna be an exciting fight. Because, I haven’t been in it, the heavyweight division is going down tremendously. The excitement about it is just not the same no more.”

“The heavyweight division has been f*cking dead,” Wilder explained. “I remember the time when it was like, ‘Damn, it’s good to be a heavyweight, the division is back.’ Now, you don’t feel no electricity at all. And we know what man brought that excitement.” 

Himself linked with a long-rumored showdown against former world champion, Anthony Joshua, Wilder has been sidelined since he knocked out common-foe, Finnish heavyweight, Robert Helenius back in October of last year in Brooklyn, New York.

Who wins between Francis Ngannou and Tyson Fury later this year?

Anthony Joshua hungry for Deontay Wilder fight: “I’m just focused on smashing his head in now”

Anthony Joshua Deontay WilderAfter a successful outing against Robert Helenius that ended in a knockout victory, Anthony Joshua is very hungry for a clash with one of the hardest hitters in the game: Deontay Wilder. “Anytime is a good time to fight. It’s only a fight, don’t matter who it is. It could’ve been Wilder eight years ago, […]

Anthony Joshua Deontay Wilder

After a successful outing against Robert Helenius that ended in a knockout victory, Anthony Joshua is very hungry for a clash with one of the hardest hitters in the game: Deontay Wilder.

“Anytime is a good time to fight. It’s only a fight, don’t matter who it is. It could’ve been Wilder eight years ago, or Wilder now,” Anthony Joshua would say nonchalantly after his victory over Helenius.

The UK boxing phenom has had his busiest year in boxing since 2019, back when he suffered an upset loss to Andy Ruiz Jr. and wanted to run it back as quickly as could be done. Joshua would go on to be victorious in the rematch, and as of now, a trilogy fight has not taken place yet.

Since then, Joshua has maintained a track record of fighting just once a year. He’d go on to pick up wins against the likes of Kubrat Pulev, Jermaine Franklin, and now, Robert Helenius. Next up, If Joshua gets his way, will be Deontay Wilder.

Anthony Joshua wants Deontay Wilder next, focused on smashing his head in

“It is what it is at the end of the day, it’s only a fight, and boxing wins,” Anthony Joshua continued. “So roll on, really. It’s no worry to me when it is. Im just happy we can get the fight going, and I think people appreciate that.”

“I’m doing my best to keep heavyweight boxing on the map. It’s all the same shit. We’re gonna fight and what will be, will be. I can’t look back and say what would be, what would’ve been. I’m just focused on fighting him now. That’s it, that’s what I’m focused on… I’m not trying to compare what would’ve been, that’s a weakness. I’m just focused on smashing his head in now.”

How do you think a fight between Joshua and Deontay Wilder would play out?

Deontay Wilder plays up rumored fight with UFC veteran Francis Ngannou: ‘He knows what the deal is’

Deontay Wilder plays up fight with UFC alum Francis Ngannou he knows what the deal isLinked with a future boxing showdown with former undisputed UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou, heavyweight knockout artist, Deontay Wilder insists that the former is well informed regarding the deal currently on the table. Wilder, a former undisputed WBC heavyweight champion, managed to return to the winner’s enclosure following a pair of consecutive title knockout losses […]

Deontay Wilder plays up fight with UFC alum Francis Ngannou he knows what the deal is

Linked with a future boxing showdown with former undisputed UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou, heavyweight knockout artist, Deontay Wilder insists that the former is well informed regarding the deal currently on the table.

Wilder, a former undisputed WBC heavyweight champion, managed to return to the winner’s enclosure following a pair of consecutive title knockout losses to Tyson Fury, stopping Robert Helenius with a thunderous opening round KO back in October of last year in Brooklyn, New York.

Yet to be booked for a fight since, despite links to bouts with fellow former world champions, Anthony Joshua, and Andy Ruiz Jr. – Wilder has also entertained a fight with former UFC kingpin, Ngannou, who has since penned a multi-fight deal with the PFL (Professional Fighters League).

Expected to make his return to mixed martial arts competition in the opening quarter of next year, Ngannou has been sidelined since headlining UFC 270 back in January of last year, taking home a successful heavyweight title unification win over then-interim champion, Ciryl Gane. 

Deontay Wilder discusses long-rumored clash with UFC alum, Francis Ngannou

And teasing a future fight with Wilder – in a long-rumored move to professional boxing later this year, Ngannou has been informed that a deal is currently on the table – by the Tuscaloosa veteran himself.

“He (Francis Ngannou) knows what the deal is,” Deontay Wilder told The Schmo during a recent interview. “Francis, you hear me, you know what’s up. I was at the PFL to enjoy some fighting, to shake a couple hands with a couple of people, and talk business as well. Francis is one of those names that definitely came up and that keeps coming up.”

“So hopefully we can get something under schedule in the near future that we can present to the people and make this fight become a reality,” Deontay Wilder explained.