In a highly anticipated event set to take place on October 28 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is gearing up to make his return to the ring against boxing sensation Tyson Fury. The fight has captured the attention of the combat sports world, promising to be one of the most significant heavyweight crossovers in history.
Khabib Nurmagomedov, the former UFC lightweight champion and respected figure in the fight game, had voiced concerns about Ngannou's venture into the world of boxing. While speculations swirl that Ngannou could potentially earn a staggering $50-60 million from this bout, Nurmagomedov offered a cautionary note.
Ngannou, however, has now responded to Nurmagomedov's reservations. During a recent appearance on Mike Tyson's Hotboxin podcast, Ngannou addressed the comments, saying, "Everybody has a right to say his opinion, you know. It’s going to be one way or another. That is his opinion. You have to wait until the fight and see what’s going on. That’s the only way to find out."
As Ngannou readies himself for this monumental challenge, he's enlisted the expertise of none other than boxing legend Mike Tyson, who has joined his training camp to help prepare for the clash with Tyson Fury.
Nurmagomedov, while understanding Ngannou's motivation for the big payday, had also cautioned him about the dangers of facing a seasoned boxing pro like Tyson Fury. Fury boasts an impeccable undefeated record and has defeated some of the boxing world's greatest names.
Nurmagomedov had earlier stated, "Tyson Fury, this guy is the best right now. I think Tyson Fury is on a different level in boxing. If they fight in MMA, of course, Francis Ngannou has a chance… If they fight in the UFC, Tyson Fury has not much of a chance. In boxing, I don’t see anyone that can touch his face."
It's essential to remember that Ngannou, in his own right, is considered one of the best heavyweight strikers in MMA. While Nurmagomedov's concerns are valid, the unpredictable nature of combat sports means that anything can happen once the fighters step into the ring. As Ngannou himself put it, "That’s the only way to find out." Fans around the world eagerly await the showdown between these two giants of their respective sports.