Tag: Deontay Wilder

Former UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou has welcomed the opportunity to face former WBC heavyweight kingpin, Deontay Wilder across any form of combat sports, however, in rather chilling fashion, has claimed a strict-ruled boxing match would allow the former to “keep his limbs”. 

Ngannou, a former undisputed UFC heavyweight champion, saw his contractual obligations with the organization come to an end officially on December 9. last – with promotional president, Dana White confirming his stripping as champion and departure from the UFC in January.

As a result, the promotion is now set to field a vacant heavyweight title fight between Ngannou’s past opponent and former interim titleholder, Ciryl Gane – who draws the returning ex-light heavyweight best, Jon Jones at UFC 285 on March 5. 

In the days and weeks following Ngannou’s official exit, the Cameroon native has been linked with a trio of heavyweight boxing matches against Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, and the above-mentioned, WIlder – with the Tucasloosa native even offering Ngannou a two-fight deal encompassing a boxing and mixed martial arts contest.

Francis Ngannou welcomes now-“open agent” Deontay Wilder to the “free world”

In the latest revelation, Wilder revealed today that he is now an “open agent” – with Ngannou welcoming the former heavyweight champion to the “free world”.

“Welcome to the free world @BronzeBomber (Deontay WIlder),” Francis Ngannou tweeted. “I hope you are a man of your word. See you soon. #NgannouWilder” 

Furthermore, WIlder addressed the possibility of fighting Ngannou in both boxing and mixed martial arts again, with the ex-UFC kingpin, however, now insisting on a clash in the squared circle to allow Wilder to exit with his limbs unscathed.

“I said only boxing so he (Deontay Wilder) can keep his limbs,” Francis Ngannou tweeted. “Like I said, we will see if he’s a man of his word.” 

Most recently handing the aforenoted, Gane a unanimous decision loss at UFC 270 back in January of last year, Ngannou successfully unified the division titles with his five round judging win.

As for esteemed knockout artist, Wilder, the veteran snapped his two-fight losing run against Fury with a staggering first round KO of Robert Helenius back in October in Brooklyn, New York. 

Former WBC heavyweight boxing champion, Deontay Wilder has offered to both welcome former UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou, to professional boxing later this year, before then making his own transition to mixed martial arts and fighting the Cameroon native in a cage as part of a two-fight series.

Wilder, revered as one of the most dangerous punchers in heavyweight boxing history, returned from his trilogy title knockout loss to current WBC best, Tyson Fury late last year against Robert Helenius, securing a dominant first round KO win in less than three minutes in New York.

As for Batié native, Ngannou, the former undisputed UFC heavyweight titleholder departed the organization earlier this year following the completion of his contractual obligations back in December. 

Last time out, Ngannou successfully unified the heavyweight championships with a unanimous decision win over then-interim division titleholder, Ciryl Gane. 

Deontay Wilder offers to fight Francis Ngannou in both boxing and MMA

Linked with a multitude of professional boxing matches, including against the likes of the above-mentioned, Fury, and former heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua next, Ngannou has now been offered a chance to enter the squared circle by Wilder – who in turn explained how he would also be willing to fight in mixed martial arts as part of a rematch.

“Most definitely, I love Francis (Ngannou),” Deontay Wilder said of a potential fight with the Cameroonian during an interview with Trill Boxing Talk. “When I met him at the UFC Apex in (Las) Vegas, he was talking about doing it that time. I’m still interested in it and I would love to go to Africa for that fight. When he was with [Dana White], me and Dana sat down and talked about it. When he brought the idea to me the whole saying was, ‘If it makes dollars it makes sense.’”

“That’s all they need to know,” Deontay Wilder explained. “I know he’s doing his own thing and I’m proud of him for following his heart, doing what he feels. I even thought about this idea. I said, ‘Alright, let’s make it a two-fight deal. Everybody always comes to boxing – let’s do this; you come to my sport, I’ll come to yours. You come to my house, I’ll come to yours, I’m a true warrior. I’m serious about that, too. I wanna do something different since everybody doing this crossover between combat sports.”

Former WBC heavyweight champion, Deontay Wilder has teased a potential future fight against undisputed UFC heavyweight titleholder, Francis Ngannou, claiming the bout was mentioned to him in the past – with both him and his promoter sharing an interest in the clash.

Wilder, a former undisputed WBC heavyweight champion, is currently riding a two-fight losing skid against current champion, Tyson Fury – dropping back-to-back rematch and trilogy fight knockout losses to the Manchester native.

Scheduled to return to the squared circle later this month, Wilder, a devastating knockout artist, is set to clash with Robert Helenius at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York – attempting to score his stunning forty-third career victory. 

Deontay Wilder claims a Francis Ngannou clash was floated before

Sharing his thoughts on a potential future fight against Cameroonian knockout artist, Ngannou, Wilder, who recently attended Dana White’s Contender Series events at the UFC Apex facility and has trained extensively at the UFC Performance Institute in ‘Sin City’, claimed a fight with the Batie native was previously discussed.

“I think that would be an intriguing fight, and it would be a fight that would bring a lot of interest,” Deontay Wilder said of a fight with Francis Ngannou during an interview with Insider.

“It was mentioned to me before, and Al (Haymon) agreed,” Deontay Wilder explained. “There’s an old saying, ‘If it makes dollars, it makes sense.’ And he agreed as well. Who knows. We may see that fight in the future. And if we do? Oh, boy, what a fight to see. The future is bright.” (Transcribed by TalkSport)

For Ngannou, the undisputed heavyweight champion has been sidelined since undergoing reconstructive knee surgery following his successful title unification win against Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 back in January of this year.

With his contract with the UFC currently up in the air as he remains subject to a ‘champions clause’, Ngannou, who has noted his desire to fight WBC heavyweight best, Fury in the future – insists he must be allowed to box professionally if he is to re-up with the Dana White-led organization.