On Friday, the night time earlier than UFC 299, former heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou made his second look inside a boxing ring towards former two-time champion Anthony Joshua in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
In his debut, Ngannou confronted boxing legend Tyson Fury and went the gap. Ngannou scored a knockdown within the third spherical however got here up quick dropping by way of cut up determination. His efficiency towards 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 bought up, and the struggle was resumed, Joshua linked with a straight proper hand that visciously crumbled the previous UFC titleholder.
Throughout the UFC 299 Publish-Battle Press Convention on Saturday, UFC CEO Dana White commented on Ngannou’s loss and wasn’t stunned by the consequence.
“Going into the Fury struggle, if Fury skilled for the struggle and confirmed up wanting like he ate Tyson Fury that is in all probability how that struggle would have ended,” White mentioned. “You know the way I really feel about crossovers into boxing. That is how the top. Identical to that.”
Ngannou is anticipated to return to combined martial arts later this 12 months. “The Predator” inked a multi-fight cope with the Skilled Fighters League in Might 2023 however has but to struggle underneath the PFL banner. His first PFL opponent is anticipated to be Renan Ferreira.