UFC heavyweight champion Ngannou eyes Fury fight

✔ Fact Checked by TDPel News Desk

By Samantha Allen

Published: April 26, 2022 | 6:51 AM GMT

UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou said he hopes to fight Tyson Fury in a crossover bout in 2023 and that there is a “70% chance” his next opponent will be the British boxer.

WBC heavyweight champion Fury had suggested he would fight Ngannou when the pair spoke in the ring following the Briton’s win over Dillian Whyte on Saturday.

“We both want this fight, that’s clear, and we respect each other,” Ngannou told the MMA Hour podcast on Monday.

“Probably next year it will happen. I think it’s going to happen, it’s just a matter of our promotions, but we will sort this out at some point.”

Ngannou, who defended his title with a win over Cyril Gane in January, said the potential bout could combine elements of boxing and mixed martial arts (MMA).

“Make it a hybrid fight, something that makes it a little uncomfortable for him as a boxer,” Ngannou said. “Ideas like MMA gloves or fighting barefoot. I don’t know, we still have to figure this out.

“I would say there’s a 70% chance (my next opponent) is Tyson Fury. On his side I would say 90% against me.”

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About Samantha Allen

Samantha Allen is a seasoned journalist and senior correspondent at TDPel Media, specializing in the intersection of maternal health, clinical wellness, and public policy. With a background in investigative reporting and a passion for data-driven storytelling, Samantha has become a trusted voice for expectant mothers and healthcare advocates worldwide. Her work focuses on translating complex medical research into actionable insights, covering everything from prenatal fitness and neonatal care to the socioeconomic impacts of healthcare legislation. At TDPel Media, Samantha leads the agency's health analytics desk, ensuring that every report is grounded in accuracy, empathy, and scientific integrity. When she isn't in the newsroom, she is an advocate for community-led wellness initiatives and an avid explorer of California’s coastal trails.