Francis Ngannou already has a game-plan for his next fight.
Leaving the UFC behind, the former heavyweight champion will be taking on his greatest challenge yet. Ngannou is set to face undefeated world champion Tyson Fury in his professional boxing debut on Oct. 28 in Saudi Arabia.
Ngannou’s Approach
Months away from the boxing match, Ngannou currently sits as a +700 underdog. Despite being counted out by the bookies, boxing experts and fans, Ngannou is more than confident that he’ll find a way to beat the seemingly unbeatable Fury, a feat no man has ever reached.
“It can play out different ways,” Ngannou said of his fight with Fury on The MMA Hour. “I think he’s gonna try to play me on the distance and maybe drag into the decision. I know a lot of people are just giving me chance if I randomly connect or something, but I’m also working in all [aspects] in case we go to decision.
“I will have to break his distance because he’s pretty good on the distance to control his distance and everything. And I will constantly try to break that, that means like, I have to expose myself and get into [the pocket]. But it is a tough one and I really want to win this even if he goes to decision.”
‘Apply Pressure’
Ngannou’s strategy is to not give Fury any room to breathe inside of their 10-round fight.
“I don’t want to give him space to make him feel comfortable,” Ngannou added. “He’s pretty good when he’s comfortable when he’s there relaxing. Oh, he’s pretty good, but let’s see how he’s going to react when you apply pressure. Not just like gonna land some big punch, but keep pushing. That will be my approach.”
‘I’m Francis Ngannou, I Always Get Things Done, Period.’
As for his doubters, ‘The Predator’ has put out a message for them ahead of his fight with Tyson Fury, citing they’re not ones to take chances on others, much less themselves.
“I stay patient. I keep my mouth shut because work in silence and let the result make the noise for you,” Ngannou stated. “The result is making the noise. And at the end of the day, I get the win.
“And then for some people, I mean, you can control people and I will not be here like trying to answer to them. Some of them they were just saying that because they just feel like this is too much high for their level. They didn’t even step in. It is like you are walking in the gym and you see these guy sparring and you’re just like scared and say, ‘oh, he hit too hard,’ and then you walked out. You don’t wanna spar with him. You never step in the Octagon with him or in the mat with him. So that was the most part.
“But my message for them, remember, I’m Francis Ngannou, I always get things done, period. And please, watch me and applaud for me,” Ngannou concluded.
