Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou was asked how he thinks a street fight between him and Mike Tyson would go and 'The Predator' gave a simple response
Former UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou, has boldly claimed that he would defeat a prime Mike Tyson in a street brawl.
Ngannou, 38, carved out a reputation as one of the most intimidating fighters in UFC history during his tenure with the organization. After joining the promotion in 2015, 'The Predator' quickly became known for his devastating knockout power, boasting impressive victories over opponents like Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Alistair Overeem.
The Cameroonian fighter's raw power is so immense that he once registered a punch strength of 129,161 units on a PowerKube, marking the hardest punch ever recorded. After clinching the heavyweight title in 2021, the 38-year-old defended his belt once against Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 in 2022 before parting ways with the UFC to sign with PFL.
However, his official debut with the new organization was postponed when he decided to venture into the boxing world. 'The Predator' first squared off against Tyson Fury last year, narrowly losing in a split-decision.
He made a return to the ring earlier this year, but suffered a crushing knockout loss to Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia. Tyson, holding a professional record of 50-6-2, is forever etched in history as one of the heavyweight greats. At his zenith, 'Iron Mike' triumphed over notable fighters such as Frank Bruno, Michael Spinks, Larry Holmes, and Marvis Frazier.
Ngannou, much like Tyson, stands as one of the most devastating strikers in the sports narrative. Dream matchups aren't new, and fans might muse about a clash between a 'Prime Ngannou' and a 'Prime Tyson. ' Enter Piers Morgan, who tossed this particular query at 'The Predator' during an interview.
Ngannou was candid in his assessment: "If it's not boxing, I think he's going to have a hard time, but if it's in boxing, then I'm going to have a hard time."
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Getty Images)After sharing a laugh, Morgan prodded further, picturing a street fight with no guidelines, wherein Ngannou confessed: "Oh, no, he's having a hard time." Morgan couldn't contain his amusement, wishing he could make such a claim about taking on Tyson on the pavement.
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In a chat packed with lighthearted quips, Ngannou didn't hold back on the praise for his boxing idol. He had previously brought in 'Iron Mike' Tyson as his mentor for the Fury bout, and Tyson's influence seemed to pay dividends when Ngannou narrowly lost by just one point amid a storm of controversy over the decision.
Queried by Morgan on which fighter he considers the greatest across all fighting disciplines, Ngannou answered: "I grew up idolizing Mike Tyson. So, if you'd ask me, I'd say Mike Tyson."
Now, Ngannou's attention is firmly on his upcoming Professional Fighters League (PFL) debut opposite Renan Ferreira, set to happen later this month. This event is poised to be the PFL's fifth sojourn in Riyadh and its first return since the earlier PFL MENA 3 this summer. Standing at a towering 6-foot-8, Ferreira looms as perhaps the most intimidating heavyweight figure in PFL circles.
