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Will Francis Ngannou Face Rico Verhoeven?

Francis Ngannou vs Rico Verhoeven PFL World Champion Francis Ngannou may have a future opponent in Rico Verhoeven, the kickboxing world title holder. Rumors…

PFL World Champion Francis Ngannou may have a future opponent in Rico Verhoeven, the kickboxing world title holder. Rumors and quotes have been circulating recently.

Francis Ngannou

Cameroon’s Francis Ngannou was the UFC heavyweight champion and was feared for his striking power, with an incredible 85% knockout win rate. Since walking away from the organization, he took on two blockbuster boxing fights against champions Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. Afterward, he returned to MMA to capture the PFL heavyweight title with a first-round knockout.

Rico Verhoeven

The Dutch-born Rico Verhoeven captured the GLORY Kickboxing World title in 2014 and has not lost since, he now has compiled 11 title defenses plus a Grand Prix championship along the way. He is best known for his fights against Badr Hari. The kickboxer has a 32% knockout win rate and has largely cleared out the heavyweight division. His next bout is a rematch against Levi Rigters then hopefully he can face Antonio Plazibat, after that, there’s no one left in this division.

Francis Ngannou vs. Rico Verhoeven

When Francis Ngannou left the UFC, he was fielding offers from many organizations as the hottest free agent in combat sports. GLORY Kickboxing circulated a story stating that they had sent Ngannou an offer. In a conversation with me, Ngannou said that this story was simply false. In no uncertain terms, he said: “No, no. I never received an offer from GLORY.“

The Cameroonian athlete had a singular kickboxing win before he made his professional MMA debut. Reflecting on this match, Francis Ngannou told me: “Well, I remember it was a moment that I just wanted to fight. I was very excited, was very hungry, and was training all the time. I wanted to fight. My kickboxing wasn’t great though … But I was just like, I have the will to win. I was going there for everything. It was quite a good experience.”

Francis Ngannou PFL — Photo by Tim Wheaton

The kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven has a singular MMA victory from 2015. Verhoeven and Ngannou have each competed professionally across kickboxing, MMA, and boxing. The ruleset in a potential could be mixed following a long history of kickboxers vs. MMA fighters, such as we used to see K-1 vs. PRIDE events.. In conversation with the PFL though; they’re not looking to mix rules.

Speaking in an interview with Ariel Helwani, Verhoeven implored the public for this match. He said:

“What I would like to say to them is just, I think when we’re talking about ‘Baddest on the Planet’, and we’re talking about crossover fights, this must happen! It hasn’t happened because we’ve done the most crazy fights, and this is one of them that needs to be added to the list. So let’s make it happen!

“Let’s find out who it is…the crossover talks, they’ve been going on for quite some time. For example, what’s going on in [Saudi Arabia] is awesome. They’ve put mixed martial arts on the map in a different way…there’s so many different flavors. Could be a home-and-away fight, kickboxing or MMA fight, which likely ends up 1-1. But a boxing match, that’s interesting, because it’s a different way for both of us.”

Francis Ngannou’s Coach Details How Renan Ferreira ‘F*cked Up’ Before PFL Fight

The coach of newly crowned PFL Super Fights Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou believes Renan Ferreira made a critical error in the lead-up to their clash this past weekend. Ngannou made an emphatic return to mixed martial arts on October 19, having not competed inside a cage since a successful UFC title defense back in January […]

Continue Reading Francis Ngannou’s Coach Details How Renan Ferreira ‘F*cked Up’ Before PFL Fight at MMA News.

The coach of newly crowned PFL Super Fights Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou believes Renan Ferreira made a critical error in the lead-up to their clash this past weekend.

Ngannou made an emphatic return to mixed martial arts on October 19, having not competed inside a cage since a successful UFC title defense back in January 2022.

After injury, a contract dispute and UFC exit, and venture into the boxing ring kept him away for close to two years, “The Predator” showed that he hasn’t lost a step by brutally ground-and-pounding Ferreira en route to a first-round TKO in his PFL debut.

During an appearance on Tuesday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned, coach Eric Nicksick reflected on his man’s performance in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The Xtreme Couture trainer spoke about the mindset Ngannou entered the cage with, explaining how it became more dangerous after Ferreira’s antics during their faceoff at the ceremonial weigh-ins the previous night.

“I just felt like there was a certain way about Francis, and especially after the faceoff,” Nicksick said. “I felt like Renan f*cked up by head-butting him and getting in his face, because it really took Francis to a different place. It really did. I’ve never really seen Francis, not necessarily mad, but it lit a fire under his ass in a different way.

“I’m thankful for Renan doing that, you know?” Nicksick continued. “When he did that, I looked over at Dewey (Cooper) and was like, ‘Yeah, dude. This is perfect. Thanks.’”

While the pair were hyped up when they went forehead to forehead on stage, they have showed nothing but respect for one another in the aftermath of their main event at the PFL’s Battle of the Giants pay-per-view.

“The Predator” recently praised “Problema” in a social media post, branding him an “incredible competitor.” The Brazilian entered the contest off the back of a title-winning PFL campaign in 2023 and rapid knockout of Bellator kingpin Ryan Bader this past February.

Read More: Francis Ngannou Reveals Timeline For Next Fight, ‘Could Be Either’ MMA Or Boxing

Continue Reading Francis Ngannou’s Coach Details How Renan Ferreira ‘F*cked Up’ Before PFL Fight at MMA News.

Francis Ngannou’s Next Challenge: MMA or Boxing? PFL Champ Aims for 2025 Comeback

After capturing the heavyweight title in the PFL, Francis Ngannou is uncertain whether he will have his next match…

After capturing the heavyweight title in the PFL, Francis Ngannou is uncertain whether he will have his next match boxing or MMA. But ideally, the Cameroonian-born athlete will return to action sometime in 2025.

Francis Ngannou Next Fight

The 38-year-old Francis Ngannou had tremendous success competing in MMA with the UFC. He was feared for his punching power and was able to capture the UFC heavyweight world title by way of knockout. After successfully defending this championship he walked away from the organization.

Once he left the UFC, Francis Ngannou had massive payday offers for him in boxing and with the PFL. He had two blockbuster boxing matches facing champions Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. In the PFL, competing in MMA, he was able to stop the top-ranked knockout striker Renan Ferreira, who was a PFL champion.

Francis Ngannou PFL 1 — Photo By Tim Wheaton

After defeating Renan Ferreira by first-round knockout, Francis Ngannou has two options ahead of him: compete in MMA with the PFL or have a boxing match. Speaking in an interview with Ariel Helwani, he explained:

“It could be either one (MMA or boxing). I don’t know yet. I don’t have any hand in that one. I don’t have a decision. I think it also depends on promotion. I don’t know. If next, PFL, they come up with something with a fight or a date, maybe we’ll work on it. If it’s boxing, same thing.” [Ht MyMMANews]

Either way, ‘The Predator’ Ngannou is set to make millions of dollars. In MMA, with the PFL, he is getting paid over $10 million per fight plus bonuses. His two boxing matches earned him a combined $30 million. Additionally, he is able to help build up the sport as the leader of PFL Africa, and he has peace of mind because in MMA he has guaranteed his opponent a massive payday giving them at least $2 million for fighting him in the PFL.

Conor McGregor: “I’ll Support You 100%” in Paul Hughes Bout Against Usman Nurmagomedov, takes shots at Khabib

Ireland’s Paul Hughes will soon face the Khabib Nurmagomedov trained Usman Nurmagomedov, for the Bellator title, and wants Conor…

Ireland’s Paul Hughes will soon face the Khabib Nurmagomedov trained Usman Nurmagomedov, for the Bellator title, and wants Conor McGregor in his corner for this matchup. ‘The Notorious’ said he is absolutely into supporting Hughes for his title match against the Dagestani athlete.

Paul Hughes

The Cage Warriors champion signed with the PFL earlier this year. In his promotional debut, he out-pointed the prodigy AJ McKee over a three-round decision. With this win in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, he sets himself up as the top contender to face Usman Nurmagomedov for the Bellator Lightweight Title.

Usman is a cousin of Khabib Nurmagomedov and has long been a training partner. Khabib would be in Usman’s corner during the Hughes title match. Thus, Hughes has asked his Irish countryman and rival of Khabib, Conor McGregor to be in his corner. In his post-fight interview, the Irish fighter said:

“Yeah, that’s obvious. [Usman Nurmagomedov] is what I want. I said I was here for the biggest fights, the highest-pressure moments, and to make the most money possible. Usman is next, no question. There’s a lot of hype around this fight, and I’m here for it … How crazy would that be? We might need some extra security that night, though. We’ll need more security! But I’m down for it. It’ll be fun.”

Conor McGregor

Conor McGregor changed the face of MMA when he made history as a two-division UFC Champion. But he might be best known for his blockbuster match against his rival Khabib Nurmagomedov. Hearing the calls from Paul Hughes, McGregor said that he would be in attendance to support Hughes against Nurmagomedov. In a deleted Tweet, ‘The Notorious’ said:

“Paul my man I will go to the arena and support 100% for sure and if it kicks off I’ll be in there before you could even say ‘The [Nurmagomedovs] are juice head inbred rats married to their cousins’. Your team and corner have done a tremendous job with you! They will take you all the way! You’ve got this! We are with you brother, bring home the Gold!”

Conor McGregor Khabib Usman Paul Hughes — Screenshot by Curtis Calhoun

Conor McGregor: “I’ll Support You 100%” in Paul Hughes Bout Against Usman Nurmagomedov, takes shots at Khabib

Ireland’s Paul Hughes will soon face the Khabib Nurmagomedov trained Usman Nurmagomedov, for the Bellator title, and wants Conor…

Paul Hughes

“Yeah, that’s obvious. [Usman Nurmagomedov] is what I want. I said I was here for the biggest fights, the highest-pressure moments, and to make the most money possible. Usman is next, no question. There’s a lot of hype around this fight, and I’m here for it … How crazy would that be? We might need some extra security that night, though. We’ll need more security! But I’m down for it. It’ll be fun.”

Conor McGregor

“Paul my man I will go to the arena and support 100% for sure and if it kicks off I’ll be in there before you could even say ‘The [Nurmagomedovs] are juice head inbred rats married to their cousins’. Your team and corner have done a tremendous job with you! They will take you all the way! You’ve got this! We are with you brother, bring home the Gold!”

Francis Ngannou Reveals Timeline For Next Fight, ‘Could Be Either’ MMA Or Boxing

Newly crowned PFL Super Fights Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou is looking to keep his ball rolling — be it in the cage or ring. Ngannou completed his long-awaited return to mixed martial arts competition this past weekend in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he debuted for the Professional Fighters League. Headlining the promotion’s second pay-per-view event […]

Continue Reading Francis Ngannou Reveals Timeline For Next Fight, ‘Could Be Either’ MMA Or Boxing at MMA News.

Newly crowned PFL Super Fights Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou is looking to keep his ball rolling — be it in the cage or ring.

Ngannou completed his long-awaited return to mixed martial arts competition this past weekend in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he debuted for the Professional Fighters League.

Headlining the promotion’s second pay-per-view event of the year, “The Predator” brutally announced himself back in the sport by ground-and-pounding Renan Ferreira into unconsciousness less than four minutes in.

The result marked a needed performance for the Cameroonian, who returned to winning ways following a devastating boxing setback at the hands of Anthony Joshua this past March.

During an appearance on Monday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned, Ngannou looked ahead to what could await him in 2025 — and in which realm of combat it’ll be in.

There appears to be plenty of uncertainty regarding Ngannou’s next steps, and the man himself doesn’t seem to be any wiser than the masses.

“It could be either one (MMA or boxing),” Ngannou said. “I don’t know yet. I don’t have any hand in that one. I don’t have a decision. I think it also depends on promotion. I don’t know. If next, PFL, they come up with something with a fight or a date, maybe we’ll work on it. If it’s boxing, same thing.”

With “The Predator” now having PFL gold to defend, the organization could look to secure him for a PPV date early next year. The heavyweight champ gave Helwani an estimate of the second quarter of 2025 for his return to action.

The only problem appears to be opposition for “The Predator,” with a lack of options being highlighted as a concern for the PFL moving forward.

For the time being, Ngannou likely won’t be worrying about that and will instead be celebrating his successful return to MMA, which he dedicated to his late son Kobe on Oct. 19.

Read More: Francis Ngannou Almost Withdrew From MMA Return Due To Injury, Coach Reveals

Continue Reading Francis Ngannou Reveals Timeline For Next Fight, ‘Could Be Either’ MMA Or Boxing at MMA News.