Tag

Tyson Fury

Browsing

Francis Ngannou returns to the MMA Octagon this autumn.

The former UFC heavyweight champion is back in action on October 19 against Renan Ferreira after a two-year hiatus from the sport.

JUST IN: Tyson Fury Makes Official Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson Prediction…

Francis Ngannou and Tyson Fury

Ngannou recently tried his hand at boxing, losing to Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in crossover clashes.

But now he is set to face Ferreira for the PFL heavyweight strap on a stacked card, co-headlined by a featherweight title clash between female MMA pioneer Cris Cyborg and two-time PFL champion Larissa Pacheco.

Ngannou’s opponent Ferreira stands at 6ft 8in tall and is the reigning PFL heavyweight champion.

He won the belt in February by knocking out two-weight Bellator titlist Ryan Bader to set up a fight with ‘The Predator’ and has a habit of ending his contests early.

Out of his 13 professional wins (13-3), 12 of them have finished inside the distance with 11 of them coming by way of knockout.

“Renan is a great fighter; I have been watching him for years,” said Ngannou.

“I have been studying him for years, in fact, I’ve been telling people to watch this guy.

He’s quite unique, he’s athletic, fast, his size doesn’t impress me as much as his skill.”

Francis Ngannou

Ngannou has not fought in MMA since defeating Cyril Gane at UFC 270 in January 2022 to defend his UFC heavyweight title.

Following the fight, he split with the UFC after failing to come to terms on a contract extension and subsequently signed with the PFL.

He was supposed to compete for the organisation earlier but ended up landing a pair of blockbuster boxing bouts with British heavyweight stars Fury and Joshua.

Ngannou caused Fury serious problems in his boxing debut last October as he dropped a narrow split decision to the then-lineal heavyweight champion.

However, he couldn’t replicate his performance against AJ, who brutally knocked him out in March.

One month after his loss to Joshua, Ngannou announced the tragic death of his son, Kobe, at the age of just 15 months.

He announced the devastating news on social media via an emotional statement.

“Too soon to leave but yet he’s gone. My little boy, my mate, my partner Kobe was full of life and joy,” he wrote.

“Now, he’s laying without life. I shouted his name over and over but he’s not responding. I was my best self next to him and now I have no clue of who I am. Life is so unfair to hit us where it hurts the most.

“How do you deal with such a thing? How can you live with it? Please help me if you have an idea because I really don’t know what to do and how to deal with this.”

RELATED: David Price Predicts Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua: “I Always Thought It Would Be A Whitewash”…

 

Tyson Fury has given his official prediction for Mike Tyson’s upcoming showdown with Jake Paul. The new date for the controversial boxing showdown was recently revealed.

JUST IN: Mike Tyson Tells Tyson Fury Exactly How To Beat Oleksandr Usyk In Rematch…

The pair were due to meet on the 20th of July at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas before medical issues on the part of ‘Iron Mike’ caused the bout to be postponed.

The fight has officially been moved to the 15th of November, when the highly-anticipated rematch between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano will also take place.

TYSON FURY

Tyson hasn’t fought a professional fight since 2005 but did fight Roy Jones Jr in an exhibition match in 2020, which went down as a draw. Since the confirmation of the bout, many in the boxing community have slammed the decision to sanction the contest as a professional fight.

Tyson Fury Predicts a Mike Tyson Knockout

‘Iron Mike’s’ last knockout win came in 2003

The former heavyweight champion, Fury, believes Tyson will shock the world and teach ‘The Problem Child’ a lesson when they eventually go head-to-head. In a clip re-shared by MMA READ, ‘The Gypsy King said:

SEE MORE: Former Undisputed Heavyweight Champion Who Beat Mike Tyson Wants Jake Paul Fight

“Listen, if Mike Tyson hits anybody, I don’t care if he’s 90, he’s gonna knock them out cold, in’t he? Obviously I have to back Mike Tyson. I’m named after the legend and I’ll back him. As he always backs me I’m backing Mike for the knockout. Come on, Mike!”

While Tyson hasn’t stepped in the ring since his clash with Jones Jr, Paul has been very much active in the sport. His last outing took place in July, when he defeated former UFC fighter, Mike Perry.

MIKE TYSON AND Roy Jones Jr

Mike Tyson’s Health Status Ahead of Jake Paul Fight

The boxing legend is suffering from a debilitating health condition

‘Iron Mike’ is suffering from a debilitating health condition that can impact his mobility and speech. The condition first sparked concerns among fans in 2022 when he was spotted using a wheelchair at the Miami International Airport. Tyson was also seen using a walking stick in New York, a condition later explained as sciatica.

According to the NHS, sciatica is a condition where the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back through the hips and down to the feet, becomes irritated or compressed, causing debilitating pain. Symptoms include tingling, numbness, and weakness, particularly in the bottom, back of the leg, foot, and toes. If left untreated, the pain and discomfort can become debilitating, severely affecting a person’s quality of life. Symptoms can often worsen at night or with slight movements.

Jake Paul VS Tyson Fury

Iron Mike confirmed the news about his condition back in a 2022 interview with Newsmax, saying: “I have sciatica every now and then, it flares up. When it flares up, I can’t even talk!

Thank God it’s the only health problem I have. I’m splendid now. Everybody in my house is truly blessed, and we’re all very grateful for whatever we have.”

Tyson recently suffered a medical emergency on an American Airlines flight from Miami to Los Angeles in May. He reportedly felt nauseous and dizzy on the flight, and when they arrived at LAX, paramedics were on hand to assess him. The official statement said: “Thankfully Mr. Tyson is doing great. He became nauseous and dizzy due to an ulcer flare up 30 minutes before landing. He is appreciative to the medical staff that were there to help him.”

RELATED: David Price Predicts Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua: “I Always Thought It Would Be A Whitewash”…

 

There are two huge fights on the horizon for boxing once winter rolls around.

The first is the much talked about inter-generational coming together of a former heavyweight legend and a new school disrupter.

Jake Paul and Mike Tyson

JUST IN: Jake Paul-Mike Tyson is next, and I’m worried the old guy can’t win in November

Mike Tyson hasn’t fought in anger for some 20 years but will be lacing up the gloves aged almost 60 for a professional bout against YouTuber turned 11-0 boxer Jake Paul in November.

Opinion is divided as to whether the younger man should be concerned for this safety up against a once notoriously savage puncher in Tyson, or whether it is the veteran who has often been seen walking with a stick due to sciatica who should be worried.

The other headline-grabbing bout is Oleksandr Usyk’s rematch with Tyson Fury seven months after the Ukrainian defeated the Brit in the first undisputed heavyweight showdown in almost 25 years back in May.

SEE MORE: Former Heavyweight Champion ‘Knows’ Tyson Fury Is Scared To Face Him: “They Lied About Me”

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk

After the fight which Fury narrowly lost on points after taking a 10 count in round nine, he claimed that the contest was ‘too easy’ and that he was having too much fun ring in the ring and that he therefore took his eye off the ball.

Ahead of that much-anticipated rematch out in Saudi Arabia and speaking to Boxing King Media, ‘The Baddest Man on the Planet’ said ‘The Gypsy King’ can avenge his only career defeat and had one clear instruction on what he must do to be victorious next time.

“Take it serious.”

After some controversy surrounding the corner work from Fury’s team in the first fight, Teddy Atlas has insisted things should remain unchanged in the rematch.

RELATED: “I’m Crushed Right Now”: Mike Tyson’s Son Mourns the Death of His Aunt Who Died Due to ‘Evil’ Disease

 

For many years now, there has been one heavyweight fight that the world has wanted to see.

That is the all-British showdown between former Olympic champion Anthony Joshua and the former Lineal champion Tyson Fury.

JUST IN: Mike Tyson comeback ’20 times worse’ than Manny Pacquiao

Their paths have never yet crossed in the ring for a range of reasons. Right now, Joshua is the man in form with a run of four back-to-back wins in the last 18 months, while Fury is coming off his first-ever loss.

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk

Back in May, ‘The Gypsy King’ was dethroned and failed to become undisputed champion when he took on Oleksandr Usyk.

Speaking to Seconds Out, former heavyweight contender David Price was asked whether he thought the two will ever manage to get it on in the future and said it all depends on the outcome of Fury’s rematch with Usyk in December.

SEE MORE: Former Heavyweight Champion ‘Knows’ Tyson Fury Is Scared To Face Him: “They Lied About Me”

“I’d obviously love that to happen.

It’s just going to depend on the circumstances of Tyson Fury at the end of the day. Will he want to continue if he loses to Usyk and go back to the table with Joshua on an even keel or even as the B-side fighter at that point.

But money talks doesn’t. They can have as much money in the bank but it’s still tempting to come back for that little bit more. It might just be a personal thing that he wants to fight Joshua. I know Joshua wants the fight. It’s just a shame it hasn’t happened yet.”

Anthony Joshua and  Daniel Dubois

He then picked a winner and narrowly sided with ‘The Gypsy King.’

“If it does happen I was always convinced it would be a whitewash for Fury but Joshua has found his aura again, his form again, that belief, and I’d probably have it 60-40 in Fury’s favour.”

Should this mouthwatering clash ever come to pass, Fury will need to get through Usyk and Joshua will need to see off Daniel Dubois when they fight for the IBF title in September.

If both of them get wins, they could potentially come together for what would be an epic undisputed fight for all of the belts in 2025.

RELATED: Former Undisputed Heavyweight Champion Who Beat Mike Tyson Wants Jake Paul Fight

Tyson Fury co-starred in the first undisputed heavyweight clash in over two decades this year, losing out on a split decision to Oleksandr Usyk.

Before the fight was made, the Brit’s team came under fire from some corners of the boxing world for matchmaking, choosing a voluntary defence against Derek Chisora in late 2022 before returning ten months later to face former UFC Champion and boxing debutant, Francis Ngannou.

During that time, Fury said that nobody was willing to step up and face him, including former unified champion Andy Ruiz Jr. The Mexican-American – who was ranked highly with the WBC at the time – was accused of pricing himself out, with claims that he asked for $20 million for the bout.

Speaking to Cornerman Boxing, Ruiz Jr said that it was a lie to cover up the fact that Fury was afraid to fight him.

“Tyson Fury – everybody kept saying that I was asking for too much money. Everything was a lie, bro. That’s what I know that people are scared to fight me. That’s why I gotta be 100%.

Yes [I think Fury is scared]. Everybody is. Everybody is always gonna underestimate this little man. It’s gonna be hard. With my style it’s a little hard to adapt to.”

A fight between the pair couldn’t seem further away at this point, with Fury set to rematch Usyk in December and Ruiz to return from a near-two year layoff to face Jarrell Miller on August 3.

Should he win, the 34-year-old is adamant he still wants the fight as well as a challenge against Usyk and a trilogy with Anthony Joshua – the man he won three belts from before losing them back in an immediate second fight.

Following a fascinating first encounter, Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will renew their rivalries on December 21.

When these two heavyweight champions first met in May, it was the first time the undisputed title had been contested since Lennox Lewis won it almost a quarter of a century before.

In a close fight, both men had periods of success, though it was the Ukrainian southpaw who landed the standout blow of the battle and sent Fury spinning around the ropes to earn himself a knockdown.

After 12 rounds, he was awarded a split decision win to become the holder of all four major belts plus the Ring Magazine and lineal title, six years after doing the same down at cruiserweight, and 12 years after becoming an Olympic gold medalist.

Speaking to the Criminal Connection Podcast, former WBC heavyweight champion Frank Bruno was asked for his view on who won the fight and said he scored it in favour Usyk.

“Usyk won, I think. You can’t really deny that. You can try and go round the corners or whatever but Usyk won.”

Since the final bell, Usyk has admitted he made mistakes that will not be repeated in the rematch, while Fury has said he was having too much fun and next time will get the job done properly.

Former Fury victim Dillian Whyte has claimed it could be hard for ‘The Gyspy King’ to turn things around in the second fight given the toll previous battles may have taken him and mindful of the fact that Usyk’s confidence will be through the roof after winning the initial meeting.

  • Joe Rogan delved into the possibility of the Ngannou vs Fury fight being fixed, but offered no concrete evidence, only speculation.
  • Rogan’s conversation with Rampage Jackson on the topic of fight fixes highlighted differing opinions on Tyson Fury’s strategy.
  • Francis Ngannou’s transition from the UFC to the PFL raises questions about his future fights and the potential for matchups with heavyweight fighters.

Joe Rogan has been the mouthpiece for the UFC since 1997. He started his podcast a little over 10 years later, which has been a longer format for fight fans to learn more about the MMA athletes they love and cherish. Rogan has been known to flesh out multiple scenarios for a single topic because of his three-hour-plus show. The UFC’s color commentator has an unrivaled eye when it comes to the sport. His passion and knowledge was a significant reason the sport became so popular in the early 2000s.

On a newly released episode, Rogan was joined by former UFC champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. “Rampage” has seen it all in the sport of MMA. Jackson was a prominent fighter for the Japanese-based MMA organization, PRIDE FC, where it has been heavily rumored that steroid use was rampant, with rumors of fixed fights, per Rampage.

 

Rogan And Jackson Talked About Fixes in Fighting

And discussed whether it’s possible the Francis Ngannou vs Tyson Fury fight was fixed

It should be noted that neither Rogan nor Rampage provided any evidence one way or another, and were merely speculating on the show. Rogan brought up the theory to Jackson that the Francis Ngannou and Tyson Fury fight was fixed because of a future match-up with Oleksandr Usyk. It is unclear, though, whether he thinks it could have been pre-written and the fighters followed a script, or if the judges had their scores already sorted regardless of what the fighters did.

“He’s fighting one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all-time and drops him in the second round. … And then he beat him up in the eighth round too. I thought [Ngannou] won that fight, but, you know, they were setting up that Usyk fight. They were not gonna let [Ngannou win], it just seemed like the fix was in a little bit.”

Rogan continued: “It was close enough that they could pull it off. You could go, ‘Ok, maybe. Maybe you could see him winning that,’ but I don’t think so. I thought Francis won it. A lot of people thought Francis won it.”

A contrasting viewpoint to Rogan’s was brought up a few weeks ago during one of his fight companion shows, where Rogan argued with the comedian Bryan Callen, who was saying that Tyson Fury ‘carried’ Francis Ngannou much in the same way Floyd Mayweather let Conor McGregor gain some success before closing the show himself.

“He might’ve had incentive to keep that fight going. The idea that Tyson Fury didn’t have a bag of tricks, that he didn’t carry him. For me, it’s very strange for me. It’s very strange. I don’t know maybe he didn’t train at all.”

Rogan’s response to Callen:

“Shut the f*** up! … If he was carrying , all that s*** would’ve went out the window after he got dropped or rocked like that!”

Francis Ngannou

Francis Ngannou’s Next Fight

MMA record: 17-3 (12 KOs, 4 SUBs), Boxing record: 0-2, Best win: Cyril Gane

Though Ngannou has banked around $30 million — if not more — in his two massive boxing bouts, there is still a fire inside to prove to gain the respect of those that have doubted him. In an unceremonious affair, Ngannou parted ways with the UFC after UFC 270 because of his strict contract that wouldn’t allow him to explore the sweet science. The Cameroonian heavyweight fighter landed with the PFL, but is yet to debut in the tier 2 MMA organization.

The ultimate hope for Ngannou’s future as a Mixed Martial Artist is that now that the UFC and Riyadh have officially started to collaborate (starting with UFC 306), that we could get the greatest UFC heavyweight fight of all-time in Ngannou versus Jon Jones (barring Jones getting past Stipe Miocic in November). Another possible fight for Ngannou, could be a return to the ring against another heavy-handed puncher in Deontay Wilder.

  • Joe Rogan believes Ngannou was cheated in Fury fight due to upcoming Usyk match – controversy ensues.
  • Despite losses, Ngannou’s paydays in boxing satisfactory to Rogan, with hope for PFL debut in the future.
  • Rogan asserts Ngannou’s presence crucial for PFL’s success, believes debut necessary for organization’s growth.

In the aftermath of Francis Ngannou’s much-anticipated boxing debut against Tyson Fury last October, controversy continues to surround the bout. UFC commentator Joe Rogan has now voiced his belief that the outcome was manipulated.

Although nine months have passed since the fight, the split decision loss for Ngannou remains a hot topic in the combat sports community. Many, including Rogan, assert that Ngannou was the true victor, especially after he knocked down Fury in the third round.

Joe Rogan Believes Francis Ngannou vs. Tyson Fury Was Fixed

The UFC Commentator Believes Fury’s Undisputed Fight With Usyk Was Protected

Rogan speculated on his podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience, that the result may have been skewed to protect Fury’s upcoming match against Oleksandr Usyk.

“I thought Francis won that fight. But they were setting up the Usyk fight. It just seemed like the fix was in a little bit. It was close enough that they could pull it off and you go, ‘Okay maybe, maybe you can see Fury winning that,’ but I don’t think so. I thought Francis won it, a lot of people thought Francis won it.”

Despite the loss, Ngannou’s performance earned him a spot in the boxing rankings and led to a subsequent bout against Anthony Joshua. Unfortunately for Ngannou, Joshua knocked him out in the second round of that fight.

Rogan expressed satisfaction that Ngannou secured significant paydays from his boxing endeavors, despite the setbacks.

Rogan expressed satisfaction that Ngannou secured a significant payday from the Tyson Fury fight, particularly since many, including Dana White, had dismissed its importance. Ngannou’s knockdown of Fury and perceived victory in the eyes of many led to another substantial payday against Joshua. While Rogan is pleased Ngannou made money, he wishes it had been earned in the UFC.

Joe Rogan Believes The PFL Needs Francis Ngannou

Francis Ngannou

Ngannou signed with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) last year but has yet to debut in the Smartcage. PFL chairman Donn Davis hopes Ngannou will fight this year. The PFL heavyweight champion, Renan Ferreira, earned his chance to welcome Ngannou to the promotion by defeating Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader earlier this year. However, a date for Ngannou’s PFL debut remains unset.

Rogan believes Ngannou’s involvement is crucial for the PFL’s success. “Right now, the only way an organization could benefit – like PFL signed Francis. That’s probably the only way that PFL’s gonna get people to pay attention. You have to have someone like Francis,” Rogan concluded.

It is yet to be seen how The Predator bounces back from a devastating loss to Anthony Joshua and the death of his son Kobe.

Ngannou will likely make his return in late 2024 for his PFL debut.

Verified by MonsterInsights