UFC president Dana White thinks it’s a bad idea for one of his champions to take a fight with a boxer.
UFC heavyweight king Francis Ngannou wants to box WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury inside the ring. And “The Gypsy King” has also expressed interest in the bout on several occasions.
As many fans know, Ngannou is currently undergoing a contract dispute with the UFC, calling for higher pay and more freedom to compete in other combat sports, like boxing Fury. He’s currently out with a knee injury, and according to “The Predator,” if he sits out the rest of the year, he’ll become a free agent.
GettyTyson Fury & Francis Ngannou.
The UFC president was recently interviewed by Barstool Sports and he was asked about Ngannou boxing Fury. Well, the UFC president thinks it’s a bad move for Ngannou to face The Gypsy King.
“It’s a really bad idea for Francis – a really bad idea,” White said via MMA Junkie.
The Predator is known as one of the most deadly KO artists in the promotion, and some believe Ngannou’s power will be enough to take out Fury. But, White pointed out that Deontay Wilder, who has won 41 professional boxing bouts by KO, was unable to knock out The Gypsy King, and he had three fights to do so.
“So did Deontay Wilder – he had that one-punch (knockout) power, too,” White said.
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Fury Says He Would Box Ngannou With 4-Ounce Gloves
The Gypsy King recently took to social media to propose an idea. He wants to box Ngannou inside a boxing ring while the two fighters only wear four-ounce gloves, mimicking the size of gloves the UFC uses.
Sharing a fight poster of himself and The Predator, Fury tweeted on January 6, 2022: “Who would like to see me fight this beast boxing rules @ufc gloves?”
Who would like to see me fight this beast boxing rules @ufc gloves?
Ngannou had another idea, however, replying: “How about MMA rules with boxing gloves? I can do you that favor.”
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Earlier This Year, Ngannou Defended His UFC Title for the First Time
The Predator stepped inside the Octagon in January to defend his heavyweight strap for the first time. He fought Ciryl Gane during the UFC 270 main event, and Ngannou relied on his wrestling and grappling to get the job done, besting the Frenchman via unanimous decision.
With the victory, Ngannou extended his win streak to six. UFC 270 also marked Ngannou’s first-ever decision victory as a professional mixed martial artist.
He boasts a record of 17-3, with 12 wins coming way by KO/TKO and four by submission.
On the other end, Fury has managed to keep his undefeated unprofessional boxing record intact. The Gypsy King is 31-0-1 and he’s scheduled to box Dillian Whyte on April 23, 2022, in England.
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Dana White on UFC Champion Taking Fight: ‘Really Bad Idea’