Francis Ngannou was thrilled to see Deontay Wilder at a recent PFL event and is hoping they could pick up where they left off in their discussion. The former UFC heavyweight champion also shared his honest take on the buzz about Dana White challenging Tyson Fury to face Jon Jones in an MMA fight.
Wilder vs. Ngannou boxing match still on the Table
Speaking to The Schmo, “The Predator” revealed that he and Wilder’s team stopped talking about a potential two-fight deal because “Bronze Bomber” had to prioritize another fight for December. However, Ngannou remains optimistic that they could revisit the deal in the near future.
“I didn’t know that he was supposed to be there, but yeah, that was a good come-out… We were having a conversation earlier this year before they came out with a potential fight in December,” Ngannou said of Wilder. “So, that’s why we’re going to hold that up in order [for him] to finish his business in December. But we were serious about a two-fight deal.”
“He might have some business in December and that’s the reason why we stopped talking,” he continued. “But after that, hopefully we will continue to have that conversation. Whoever is possible, whoever is ready. We had a very advanced discussion with Deontay and his team.”
Dream on, Dana
It can be recalled that UFC president Dana White has issued a challenge for Fury to take on Jones in an MMA fight to see who the Baddest Man on the Planet really is, a situation that stemmed from a back and forth between “The Gypsy King” and “Bones.”
For Ngannou, that doesn’t make sense as Fury is never going to fight inside the cage. Moreover, a boxing match between him and Fury is still more viable.
“Well, I don’t care about that. There is a difference between what Dana White say, and what Tyson Fury wants, you know. So, as for right now, I think we are more likely to also have that fight. But nothing has been set up yet. He is not going to fight MMA, he’s not going to fight in the cage. He was clear about that. He’s gonna be in the ring. Period,” Ngannou said.
Ngannou also made it clear that while his boxing debut is still up in the air, he would be making his PFL debut “early next year.”
“Inside the cage, definitely 2024, inside the ring, not quite sure yet but it’s still possible for this year. Nothing guaranteed but inside the cage, early next year, PFL.”
Ngannou became PFL’s biggest signing thus far following his dramatic UFC exit. Big names are constantly being linked to his name but nothing is concrete yet to this day.
