Francis Ngannou

UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou predicted a quick knockout of undefeated challenger Ciryl Gane in the main event of UFC 270.

Gane won the interim heavyweight title with a victory over Derrick Lewis in August, but Ngannou told TMZ Sports he's confident he'll end his opponent's unbeaten run next Saturday at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.

"The knockout doesn't come when I search it, so I won't be searching for the knockout, but I don't see how we will end this fight without me knocking him out, maybe under two rounds," he said in an interview released Friday.

Ngannou added he has respect for Gane but believes his size and power will be too much for the 31-year-old rising star to handle.

"Once again, this is the fighting business. This is not karate s--t, it's all about fighting and how to knock somebody out or take somebody out," he told TMZ.

Ngannou, 35, captured the heavyweight belt with a second-round knockout of Stipe Miocic in March. It marked his fifth straight win since a loss to Lewis in July 2018 and started his first UFC championship reign after losing to Miocic in his first title fight in January 2018.

Gane told French outlet La Sueur (h/t ClutchPoints' Lucas Grandsire) he couldn't match the champion's power, but he'd instead focus on trying to expose the "flaws in his game."

"We're not here to try and counter his strengths," Gane said. "We don't want to try and be stronger than him. Till today, I've never seen anyone as powerful, as athletic, with such knockout power. I've never seen it. In terms of strength, he might be the most impressive guy in UFC's history."

Gane has showcased a unique ability to counteract opponents' strengths during the 10-0 start to his career, as highlighted when he neutralized Lewis' knockout power in his last fight.

It creates a championship bout heavily dependent on whether Ngannou is able to control the pace and impose his will on the interim champ.

If Gane can slow the tempo and put together a strong defensive effort, he'll have a real shot at taking home the belt.

UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou said he will not fight beyond his upcoming title defense against Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 on Jan. 22 until he gets a new deal with UFC.

"I will not fight for $500,000 [or] $600,000 anymore. It's over," Ngannou said, per ESPN's Brett Okamoto. "I took this fight for personal reasons, because I want to make sure that regardless of [whether] it's fair, I can make my case that I have completed the fights."

The next bout will the last of his eight-fight deal initially signed in 2017, although there is a champion's clause in his contract, according to Okamoto. If he retains the belt, he will remain under contract with UFC for three more fights or one year.

Ngannou, however, said he is willing to hold out if necessary.

The 35-year-old won the heavyweight belt for the first time in March with a knockout win over Stipe Miocic. It was his fifth knockout victory in a row as he climbed the rankings, and he is now considered the No. 4 pound-for-pound fighter in UFC. 

It would be a significant loss for UFC if he leaves for another organization, but president Dana White seemed unconcerned.

"You don't always come to terms with people," White told ESPN last month. "Listen, if you want to be with us, we'd love to have you. If you don't want to be with us, no problem. All good."

Ngannou's manager, Marquel Martin, indicated it is up to UFC to complete a deal.

"We've tried to get a deal done with the UFC, but we haven't seen eye to eye," Martin said. "At the end of the day, it's Dana's decision, it's the UFC's decision—whether they want to come back to the table and have a conversation."

There could be a difficult legal battle if Ngannou wins his bout against Gane and remains the champion.

There would certainly be interest in other mixed martial arts organizations if Ngannou becomes a free agent, but he could also turn to the boxing ring. 

Boxing heavyweight champion Tyson Fury tweeted about a potential matchup with the UFC star:

Who would like to see me fight this beast boxing rules @ufc gloves?@danawhite @francis_ngannou pic.twitter.com/xONNoT8NzR

— TYSON FURY (@Tyson_Fury) January 6, 2022

This matchup would be heavily anticipated but could come down to Ngannou's contract status with UFC.   

Come on in. Duck under the tent flap and grab a megaphone. The circus is in town, and the B/R MMA Mailbag is in the center ring.

In this new feature, every week we'll ask you, the reader, a pressing question on the sport. Then we'll choose the best responses and assign them a semi-arbitrary grade.

With it being the new year and everything, now is the right time to ponder what 2022 has in store. This week, that means examining some of the most explosive potential matchups in the game.

The UFC has already set the tone, as UFC 270 features not one but two title fights. Plenty of eyes will be on mountain-of-a-man Francis Ngannou and his first heavyweight title defense against interim belt-holder Ciryl Gane. In the co-main we have a tantalizing trilogy fight between flyweight champ Brandon Moreno and Deiveson Figueiredo, the man he defeated to gain it. Their first bout in 2020 was a draw, so this is a battle for division dominance.

There are other compelling matchups on the card as well. And it's all available to anyone willing and able to pay $74.99, the UFC's new price for pay-per-views. It's all part of the UFC's ongoing you'll-pay-it-and-you'll-like-it philosophy.

In any event, there are many, many possibilities on the landscape, from the sublime to the ridiculous. And the readers came through, providing thoughts on fights across the spectrum. Ready to get to the grades? Here we go.

           

Nate Diaz vs. Conor McGregor III

@Realalexlarsen

@Gardner

I hope you're sitting down. This was the most popular submission. 

In the MMA world, it seems Conor McGregor's name is as magical as it's always been. The halcyon days of the former double-champ seem like decades ago, and of course the Irishman is currently hard at work reconstituting his disintegrated leg. As you may know, legs are an important part of the MMA equation.

When he comes back, it wouldn't make sense to throw McGregor into the deep end, where lightweight champ Charles Oliveira would likely make an easy meal of him. And that's before you get to Dustin Poirier and the raft of other killers in the UFC's toughest division. 

A rubber match with Diaz up at welterweight appears to offer the perfect sweet spot. It's an easy sell from a business standpoint, as these two are arguably the two biggest stars in the sport, with the possible exception of Israel Adesanya and a few others.

Additionally, this is a winnable bout for McGregor. If he can regain his form, this is a great fight. Ring rust is also very real, as true red-line cardio is hard to approximate when the proverbial live bullets aren't flying.

But no one's watching this fight for the X's and O's. These are two megawatt personalities who are still, for now, at the height of their drawing power. It has fun written all over it. 

Final grade for Nate Diaz vs. Conor McGregor III: A

     

Nate Diaz vs. Anybody

@LT96

Wait, I'm picking up on something. My spidey sense is telling me that people really like Nate Diaz. 

Diaz is one of the few UFC fighters who's able—and willing—to demand more money than the UFC is comfortable giving. And anything with the Diaz imprimatur on it will garner intrigue, even when there's just a blank space next to his name.

A few non-Conor ideas have been bandied about. For example, there's been noise about Diaz facing YouTube luminary Jake Paul, presumably in a boxing-rules match since Paul knows full well that any decent MMA fighter would smash him into the canvas.

But this one's a non-starter now given that the UFC recently extended Diaz's contract, per MMA reporter Ariel Helwani. If you think UFC brass will let him out of that contract to face Paul or do anything else not under the UFC banner, go ahead and make your peace with the idea that they will not. 

Poirier at 170 pounds is interesting, but he doesn't need to leave lightweight to find compelling matchups or big paydays. Diaz was also briefly linked to a bout with terrifying super-prospect Khamzat Chimaev, but that was mercifully scuttled, according to Helwani. No one needs to see that.

Amid the speculation constantly swirling around the charismatic Stocktonian and his next move, it looks like the best option, like it or not, is McGregor. This pick gets creativity points for outside-the-box thinking and for reflecting the mood of the fanbase and its rabid appetite for all things Nate. But nothing outside McGregor makes a ton of sense at this juncture. 

Final grade for Nate Diaz vs. Anybody: C-

       

Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou

@Saul45

@tgoat27

In a frictionless universe, this could be the best fight the UFC could make, full stop.

But friction has a way of encroaching, especially when your name is Jon Jones.

For the sake of expedience, let's largely focus on Jones' life inside the cage. Since his latest arrest in September—when he was charged with battery domestic violence and injuring and tampering with a vehicle—Jones has been kicked out of his longtime home gym and taken up residence in a smaller venue. 

If Jones' Instagram account is to be believed, he's still hard at work making the move from light heavyweight up to heavyweight.

Still, based on inertia alone, Jones' successful return to competition will only happen when it happens, if that makes sense.

This bout could lose a bit of luster if Gane can defeat the Cameroonian-Frenchman later this month—an outcome that's entirely possible. Jones recently suggested to Albuquerque TV station WRQE News 13 (h/t All About Fighting) that Gane could be a tougher matchup for him than Ngannou. But there's no question Gane's stolid style lacks the wattage of the current champ.

Even without a belt, Jones-Ngannou is as good as it gets. It's just unclear whether Jones can keep his end of the bargain.

Final grade for Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou: B+

      

Valentina Shevchenko vs. Amanda Nunes III

@Gardner

Kudos to Gardner, our first two-time entrant. Even with Amanda Nunes off-track following her recent loss to Julianna Pena, a battle between the flyweight and featherweight champs, presumably on the middle ground of 135 pounds, is appointment viewing.

This would be a trilogy fight, with Nunes taking razor-close decisions in the previous two. As Nunes comes off a loss and Shevchenko looks to avenge those defeats to cement her legacy, both would have plenty to fight for, even if a title isn't on the line. (Admittedly, a title would have made this an even grander spectacle.)

Before Pena took her bantamweight belt, Nunes was considered not only the best women's fighter today but also the best of all time. Now she may have dipped behind Shevchenko, who has been busy reducing the flyweight division to rubble.

It's hard to know whether Shevchenko's level of opponent is low or whether she's simply making them look bad, but six straight title defenses don't lie. Three stoppages in her last four and a much-improved ground game also have quieted concerns that she's boring or one-dimensional.

Meanwhile, as impressive and fearless as Pena was in bullying the bully that is Nunes, she doesn't have the same status as these two. Nunes still has withering power and would use her aggression to upset the counter-minded Shevchenko, while Shevchenko would look to play matador to the Brazilian's bull rush. 

It may have to wait until later in the year, as it looks like a Nunes-Pena rematch will come next. Shevchenko, who has been busy plugging the movie she did with Halle Berry, doesn't have another fight on the books, but she'd be a moderate-to-heavy favorite over any other flyweight. 

Fans will surely be hoping things break their way in 2022 and the UFC puts this fight on the books, maybe over the summer.

Final grade for Amanda Nunes vs. Valentina Shevchenko III: A-

        

Sean O'Malley vs. Dominick Cruz

@Miles_beard08

Sean O'Malley continued his move up the bantamweight pecking order last month with a knockout of Raulian Paiva. The power contained in those whip-like limbs of his is not to be trifled with, nor is the sheer diversity of strikes and angles he can use to attack. He's 7-1 in the UFC with five knockouts, including in each of his last three.

But here's the rub: His competition to date has been lukewarm at best. He's only faced one opponent—Marlon Vera—currently in the top 15. His only loss? Also to Vera. Several of his victims are no longer on the UFC roster or have so little activity that they might as well be gone. 

Needless to say, Cruz and his wacky, evasive style would be a great foil to O'Malley's offense. He's lost years of his career to injuries, but Cruz's Fight of the Night-winning victory over the well-regarded Pedro Munhoz in December indicated he's back and ready to be a force again at bantamweight.

Because of his championship pedigree in the weight class, Cruz will likely look upward in the rankings for his next opponent. Cory Sandhagen and Jose Aldo both make sense as a next step. Meanwhile, it's best to let the Suga Train keep rolling on down below, as the UFC keeps the kid gloves on and slowly moves its young star up the rankings. 

Final grade for Sean O'Malley vs. Dominick Cruz: B-

      

Steve-O vs. Justin Bieber

@Zoll

What happens when the cage door closes on two of the biggest UFC celebrity fans on the planet? Magic, that's what.

I mean, have you seen Justin Bieber play basketball? He's poetry out there, man. Why he isn't in the NBA, I have no idea. But pro basketball's loss is MMA's gain, and it's time for these two to put up or shut up. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCt_Yq40G74

As suggested by his genius with scoring the basketball and his serious gym work with none other than Conor McGregor, Bieber would set the tone early with an offensive barrage. 

But you know what Steve-O will say? He'll say, Bring it on, brother.

This is the same guy who has made his living falling off roofs and what not. You think he's afraid of getting hit with one of those classic Bieber right hooks? Not a chance.

Irresistible force, meet immovable object. This is one for the ages. 

Final grade on Steve-O vs. Justin Bieber: A+

           

And on that note, that does it for us. See you next week.

Heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury proposed a unique cross-sport matchup with UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.

Fury suggested in a Twitter post Thursday the bout should feature boxing rules while using UFC gloves:

Who would like to see me fight this beast boxing rules @ufc gloves?@danawhite @francis_ngannou pic.twitter.com/xONNoT8NzR

— TYSON FURY (@Tyson_Fury) January 6, 2022

Ngannou has been vocal about his desire to broaden his horizons beyond MMA in recent months, and he confirmed to TMZ Sports last week any future contract extension with the UFC would have to include the ability to take time away for boxing opportunities.

"It's always been down the line. This is something I'm not taking my eyes off of. It's gonna happen, either way," he said. "Even if, when the UFC and I finalize a deal, the boxing part has to be into it because I can't see myself retire without boxing."

The 35-year-old Cameroonian named Fury or Deontay Wilder as potential boxing opponents:

"I would like to test myself to that level. It's not the same sport, although I'm the champion, I'm in the top in this division. At the end of the day, it's just about like trained hands, trained punches, having a good delivery system to produce bombs and I'm sure that if I deliver my own punch, it's pretty good, I can make some damage."

Fury, 33, is coming off back-to-back knockout wins over Wilder in 2020 and 2021 after the duo fought to a draw in their first meeting in 2018.

The Gypsy King owns a 31-0-1 career record with 22 knockouts in the boxing ring, while Ngannou is 16-3 with 12 knockouts in his MMA career.

The Predator is scheduled for a heavyweight unification bout against Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 on Jan. 22. Fury's next fight hasn't been announced.

It's possible two of the biggest stars of combat sports collide in mid-to-late 2022, but a lot of details would need to get worked out before that becomes reality.

It sounds like both fighters are interested in making the matchup happen, though.

After earning the UFC heavyweight title, Francis Ngannou wants to test himself in the boxing ring at some point in his career.

"It's always been down the line," Ngannou said of boxing, per TMZ Sports. "This is something I'm not taking my eyes off of. It's gonna happen, either way. Even if, when the UFC and I finalize a deal, the boxing part has to be into it because I can't see myself retire without boxing."

The 35-year-old is scheduled to face Ciryl Gane in an MMA bout, the final fight of his current UFC contract. If his next contract allows him to compete in a boxing match, he wants to take on the top competitors in his division.

"Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder. I would like to test myself to that level," Ngannou said.

Fury is the current WBC heavyweight champion with a 31-0-1 record, while Wilder is 41-2-1 in his career with his only losses coming to Fury. The two have been by far the best heavyweights in the world for about a decade.

Either opponent would be a major challenge for Ngannou, although he is no slouch himself.

The Cameroonian won the UFC heavyweight title with a knockout win over Stipe Miocic last March, his fifth straight knockout win. He is ranked the No. 4 pound-for-pound fighter in UFC.

Even with different rules, Ngannou believes he could succeed as a boxer.

"At the end of the day, it's just about like trained hands, trained punches, having a good delivery system to produce bombs and I'm sure that if I deliver my own punch, it's pretty good, I can make some damage," he told TMZ.   

Before Francis Ngannou steps away from combat sports, he wants to test his mettle in a boxing ring—and not against some random scrub opponent.

"Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder. I would like to test myself to that level," the UFC star told TMZ Sports. "It's not the same sport, although I'm the champion, I'm in the top in this division. At the end of the day, it's just about like trained hands, trained punches, having a good delivery system to produce bombs, and I'm sure that if I deliver my own punch, it's pretty good, I can make some damage."

Ngannou has no professional boxing experience but holds the record for the world's hardest punch. Twelve of his 19 wins in MMA have come via knockout, including each of his last five as he ascended to the UFC heavyweight championship.

"It's always been down the line. This is something I'm not taking my eyes off of. It's gonna happen, either way. Even if, when the UFC and I finalize a deal, the boxing part has to be into it because I can't see myself [retiring] without boxing," Ngannou said.

Ngannou and the UFC have one fight remaining on their contract together. He's set to fight Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 next month, after which his future in combat sports is completely up in the air. 

Ngannou vs. Fury or Wilder would be the type of once-in-a-lifetime matchup that could break records at the pay-per-view box office. He could be looking at a payday similar to the one Conor McGregor made when he went up against Floyd Mayweather in 2017.

Jake Paul's sixth-round knockout victory over Tyron Woodley caught the attention of UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.

Speaking to TMZ Sports, Ngannou said he was "impressed" by what Paul did Saturday night at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.

"I didn't see that coming," he added. "I was sure that Tyron Woodley was gonna win this fight, you know? But you gotta give it to Jake Paul. He made a statement—a huge statement—and he proved that he puts his money where his mouth is."

Paul was originally scheduled to fight Tommy Fury in an eight-round bout, but Fury had to withdraw because of a chest infection and a broken rib.

Woodley stepped in to take Fury's spot after the two fought Aug. 29. The former UFC welterweight champion lost a split decision in his first professional boxing match.

Amid questions that the first bout was fixed, Paul said that Woodley's contract for the rematch included a $500,000 bonus if the Chosen One could knock out the controversial YouTube personality.

Instead, Paul was the one who sent Woodley to the canvas with a right hook:

I’ve KO’ed everyone I’ve fought. pic.twitter.com/Pz55uCIHc4

— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) December 19, 2021

Woodley, 39, has now lost six consecutive fights overall, including his mixed martial arts career. He lost four straight UFC bouts dating back to March 2019 when he dropped the welterweight title to Kamaru Usman.

Three of Woodley's last four losses has come via stoppage (knockout, TKO and submission). 

Since transitioning to professional boxing in 2019, Paul has won all five of his matches. Four of his five victories have come by either knockout or TKO.

Paul has yet to announce plans for his next fight, though his camp has indicated they want former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. 

The 24-year-old previously told TMZ Sports he hopes to challenge Saul "Canelo" Alvarez by 2024.