Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou are optimistic about a potential cross-over fight.
Ngannou, the current UFC heavyweight champion, stepped in the ring Saturday to discuss with Fury about a potential clash between the two combat sports stars. The conversation came moments after Fury defended his WBC heavyweight title with a brutal sixth-round knockout of Dillian Whyte in front of more than 94,000 spectators at Wembley Stadium in London.
Speaking with ESPN, both Ngannou and Fury showed their interest in fighting each other, and both seemed confident it will happen.
“We’re going to find out who’s the baddest motherf*cker on the planet,” Ngannou said with Fury next to him. “I have a couple of months, and I’ll be right back on my feet.”
Fury and Ngannou talk hybrid fight.#FuryvsWhyte pic.twitter.com/KaBgGW1Ckb
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) April 23, 2022
Ngannou is recovering from knee surgery, which he underwent after his successful title defense over Cyril Gane at UFC 270 in January. The bout against Gane was his last on his UFC contract.
“It’s going to be a hybrid fight with different types of rules, you know,” Ngannou added regarding the ruleset of the potential fight with Fury. “MMA gloves in the ring, kind of mixed up, a little different.”
Fury, who’s also expressed interest in fighting Ngannou for many months, promises the fight would be a massive event.
“This is going to be a very special fight like never before seen in the history of our sport,” Fury said. “We’re not talking two light guys 140 pounds. I’m 270, and he’s 270 pounds, so it’s going to be an explosive fight when it happens.”
"Definitely sometime next year. 2023. That fight will happen!"
"Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou in Africa. The Rumble in the Jungle 2!"@francis_ngannou is adamant the @Tyson_Fury fight will happen! 👀#FuryWhyte pic.twitter.com/h4wuQGGsvO
— UFC on BT Sport (@btsportufc) April 23, 2022