Francis Ngannou’s hopes of securing a crossover battle with heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury have been stored alive on Saturday evening, because the UFC title holder retained his belt towards Ciryl Gane.
Ngannou, the consensus hardest hitter in UFC historical past, has lengthy expressed frustration along with his pay within the combined martial arts promotion and has talked up a return to his boxing roots.
WBC champion Fury is the French-Cameroonian’s dream opponent, and the Briton has acknowledged Ngannou’s curiosity and even known as for a boxing match towards the “Predator” with MMA gloves.
Ngannou’s hopes of securing a mega-fight with the “Gypsy King” – nonetheless unlikely such a bout could seem – would have taken a serious hit if the 35-year-old had did not unify the UFC heavyweight titles towards interim champion Gane on Saturday.
Nevertheless, Ngannou achieved a stunning unanimous determination win towards his former teammate, utilizing an sudden wrestling method relatively than his typical knockout energy.
After the principle occasion of UFC 270 in Anaheim, Ngannou stated of Gane: “I knew he was gonna be a troublesome opponent, little doubt, I do know him.
“He was very, superb. The one factor I needed to do was keep composed, don’t chase him, belief your self.”
The outcome marked the primary skilled defeat of Gane’s profession.
Ngannou, in the meantime, took to the Octagon with bands round each knees, and stated after the battle: “Three weeks in the past I harm my knee, tore my MCL fully, however couldn’t see myself retreat from this battle, as a result of it was a second for me to make a press release.
“You guys might sleep on me, however I put in work day-after-day.”
When requested by UFC commentator and podcast persona Joe Rogan a couple of enterprise into boxing, Ngannou stated: “Boxing is all the time at the back of my pocket.
“It’s one thing I need to do earlier than the tip of my profession.
“It’s not like I’ve a lifetime right here.”
The French-Cameroonian is believed to have yet another battle on his present UFC deal, although he has insisted he’ll not battle for “$500,000 or $600,000” amid a pay dispute with the promotion’s president Dana White.
Kaynak: briturkish.com