Morning Briefing: Francis Ngannou Predicts Tyson Fury Will Meet the Mat in Upcoming Bout

Come this October in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Francis Ngannou is set to seize the chance of a lifetime as he squares off against Tyson Fury. Ngannou, a former kingpin of the UFC heavyweight division, has a life story that reads like an action movie script—complete with overcoming extraordinary hardships both inside the MMA octagon and out. Now, he’s looking to tackle his most formidable opponent to date: Tyson Fury, a boxing juggernaut.

At 35, Fury boasts an unblemished boxing record of 34 matches (33-0-1), putting 24 of his rivals down for the count. Although the “Gypsy King” has never known defeat, he’s had some near misses, most famously against Deontay Wilder where he miraculously recovered from a jaw-dropping knockdown to make it to the final bell. For this unparalleled cross-discipline match, Ngannou has tapped the legendary Mike Tyson as his trainer and guide. Ngannou predicts that by October 28, we’ll see Fury tasting canvas once again.

“My footwork is what has improved the most,” Ngannou told TMZ Sports about his training experience with Tyson. “Mastering the movement and channeling power has been phenomenal. As for what Fury’s saying, well, talk is cheap. What counts is what’ll unfold in Saudi Arabia, and what’ll unfold is him hitting the mat. How good he is at standing back up—well, we’re about to find out.”

Dubbed “The Predator,” Ngannou has showcased unearthly power across his 20-fight MMA portfolio. A staggering 12 out of his 17 wins ended in thunderous knockouts, including the title victory over Stipe Miocic, often hailed as the GOAT in MMA’s heavyweight class.

Though primarily an MMA fighter for the past decade, boxing has always been on Ngannou’s bucket list. Now, he gets the shot to square off in a battle of the titans. “I’ve been following him [Fury] for years, even attended some of his fights. He’s professional, he knows what he’s getting into. But don’t let that fool you—I’m geared up and raring to go for this fight.”

Currently signed with PFL as an MMA combatant, Ngannou foresees making his league debut by March 2024 at the latest. He last entered the octagon in January 2022, retaining his title in a unanimous win against Ciryl Gane, followed by a knee surgery that kept him sidelined until recently.

Headline Catchers

• Hot Takes: MMA Hook’s Jed Meshew, Mike Heck, and Morning Kombat’s Brian Campbell toast to the career of Joanna Jedrzejczyk, the strawweight’s enigmatic star.

• Future Fights: MMA Hook’s Mike Heck and Alex K. Lee break down future UFC matchups post-Singapore event.

Daily Tunes & Social Media Mixtape

• The arena: Epic.
• A decade in the game: Salute.
• Coin minting: No surprises.

Final Musings

I may not be the biggest fan of boxing, especially when MMA fighters try to cross over—remember McGregor vs. Mayweather? But, this Ngannou vs. Fury matchup piques my interest. The heavyweight class alone amps up the stakes, giving Ngannou a fighting chance, quite literally, to make this more than just a spectacle.

Exit Survey

Poll: Will Francis Ngannou actually make Tyson Fury kiss the canvas?

• Yes
• No

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