On Friday, the evening earlier than UFC 299, former heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou made his second look inside a boxing ring in opposition to former two-time champion Anthony Joshua in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
In his debut, Ngannou confronted boxing legend Tyson Fury and went the space. Ngannou scored a knockdown within the third spherical however got here up quick shedding through cut up choice. His efficiency in opposition to Fury result in the struggle with Joshua.
Ngannou was knocked down by Joshua within the first body. Within the second spherical, he hit the canvas once more. When he acquired up, and the struggle was resumed, Joshua related with a straight proper hand that visciously crumbled the previous UFC titleholder.
In the course of the UFC 299 Publish-Battle Press Convention on Saturday, UFC CEO Dana White commented on Ngannou’s loss and wasn’t stunned by the outcome.
“Going into the Fury struggle, if Fury skilled for the struggle and confirmed up trying like he ate Tyson Fury that is in all probability how that struggle would have ended,” White stated. “You understand how I really feel about crossovers into boxing. That is how the top. Identical to that.”
Ngannou is predicted to return to combined martial arts later this yr. “The Predator” inked a multi-fight take care of the Skilled Fighters League in Could 2023 however has but to struggle underneath the PFL banner. His first PFL opponent is predicted to be Renan Ferreira.