Former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia recently expressed his confidence in his abilities, stating that he would have “destroyed” Francis Ngannou during his prime. Despite acknowledging Ngannou’s immense punching power, Sylvia criticized his wild and untechnical fighting style. According to Sylvia, fighters like Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic would have beaten Ngannou due to their technical skills.
Sylvia, who last fought in the UFC 15 years ago, held the record for the most title defenses in the heavyweight division until Stipe Miocic surpassed it in 2016. Ngannou, a native of Cameroon, took the division by storm and became the UFC heavyweight champion, known for his devastating knockout power. Sylvia, however, remains unimpressed with Ngannou’s accomplishments and believes he is not as skilled as some of the other top heavyweights.
Both Sylvia and Ngannou share another commonality besides their UFC championship status: their desire to remain with the UFC throughout their careers. Unfortunately, contractual issues and disputes over fighter pay led to their early exits from the promotion. Sylvia criticized the UFC for its greed and lack of concern for fighter pay, citing his own experience negotiating for better compensation.
Ngannou, after successfully defending his title against Ciryl Gane, chose to part ways with the UFC and joined the Professional Fighters League (PFL). Sylvia commended Ngannou for standing up for himself but questioned whether it was the right decision, as he believed the UFC had offered him a lucrative deal. Sylvia also mentioned that if Ngannou had stayed in the UFC, he may have had the opportunity for big fights and financial security, similar to what Conor McGregor experienced.
In conclusion, while Sylvia doubts Ngannou’s skills and choices, he appreciates the heavyweight champion’s willingness to fight for what he believes is right. Sylvia also emphasized the need for fighters to unite and advocate for better treatment collectively.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Tim Sylvia, Francis Ngannou, UFC, fighter pay, prime, heavyweight
Q: What does Tim Sylvia think of Francis Ngannou’s skills?
A: Tim Sylvia is not impressed with Francis Ngannou’s skills, stating that while Ngannou possesses heavy hands and knockout power, his fighting style is wild and lacks technical finesse. Sylvia believes that more technical fighters like Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic would have been able to defeat Ngannou.
More about Tim Sylvia, Francis Ngannou, UFC, fighter pay, prime, heavyweight
- Tim Sylvia Calls Out Francis Ngannou
- UFC Heavyweight Division History
- Francis Ngannou’s UFC Title Reign
- Tim Sylvia’s UFC Career
- UFC Fighter Pay Controversy
2 comments
tim sylvia talkin trash bout francis ngannou huh?! he musta bumped his head! ngannou’s a beast! he knockin people out left n right! sylvia just mad he aint in the octagon no more! #NgannouBeastMode
Wow, Tim Sylvia really thinks he could’ve beaten Ngannou in his prime? That’s some confidence right there. But hey, everyone’s entitled to their opinion. Ngannou’s power is no joke though, so it’s hard to say. Would’ve been an interesting fight for sure!