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Photo: Francis Ngannou / Instagram   The UFC’s heavyweight division has been buzzing since Jon Jones captured the title, but former champ Francis Ngannou isn’t staying silent. Ngannou, who left the UFC in early 2022, recently sent a strong message to Jones, sparking hopes for a dream matchup. Ngannou posted on social media, writing, "Blessings make haters uncomfortable, but they can't change it. There's only one fight, the right fight that will multiply your blessings. #NgannouVSJones." The post came after Jones responded to criticism from fans accusing him of avoiding top contenders like Tom Aspinall . Jones, who defeated Stipe Miocic last month with a spinning back kick in the third round, addressed the critics, saying, "Crazy how being called a 'duck' pays better than most of your Internet tough guys will make in a lifetime. Two fights in four years and still one of the biggest names in the sport? That’s not ducking, that’s winning." Photo: Fr...

Photo: Tom Aspinall, Jon Jones / Instagram   Francis Ngannou ’s coach, Eric Nicksick , has shared advice with Tom Aspinall on how to potentially defeat Jon Jones in their rumored UFC heavyweight unification fight. Jones recently defended his heavyweight title at UFC 309 with a stunning spinning back kick knockout of Stipe Miocic . Meanwhile, Aspinall holds the interim heavyweight belt after knocking out Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295. Nicksick, who trains fighters like Ngannou, isn’t Aspinall’s coach but has still discussed strategies with him. He believes Aspinall’s unique skills could give him a real chance to become the first fighter to officially beat Jones. Photo: Tom Aspinall / Instagram   Speaking to The Schmo, Nicksick highlighted Aspinall’s footwork and fight IQ. He said Aspinall’s ability to switch stances and adapt in the heavyweight division is rare. “You can’t just stay in Jon’s range and let him control the fight,” Nicksick said. “You have to be aggressive and not...

Photo: Francis Ngannou, Deontay Wilder / Instagram   Francis Ngannou , former UFC heavyweight champion, has responded to a recent callout from heavyweight boxer Deontay Wilder . After making his debut in the Professional Fighters League (PFL) last month, Ngannou hinted at returning to the boxing ring. Ngannou’s PFL debut came in October, where he knocked out Renan Ferreira in the first round of their "Battle of the Giants" fight. The win proved that Ngannou remains one of the best heavyweight fighters in the world. Despite his success in MMA, Ngannou has also gained attention in boxing. During his break from MMA, he fought high-profile matches against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua , earning massive paydays despite losing both bouts. Photo: Francis Ngannou / Instagram   Wilder, known as "The Bronze Bomber," recently said he is still interested in fighting Ngannou. Speaking to TMZ Sports, Wilder called it "a combination station" and said he’s eager to m...

Photo: Stipe Miocic / Instagram   Stipe Miocic , one of the greatest UFC heavyweights, has officially retired. The 41-year-old announced his decision after a third-round TKO loss to Jon Jones at UFC 309 on Saturday night. "I'm done," Miocic said. "I'm hanging them up." Miocic, from Euclid, Ohio, ends a legendary career that saw him crowned as the greatest UFC heavyweight by many, including UFC CEO Dana White . "He's one of the greatest heavyweights ever," White told ESPN. "You can't deny Stipe." Photo: Stipe Miocic / Instagram Miocic joined the UFC in 2011 and quickly rose through the ranks. Despite early setbacks, like losses to Stefan Struve and Junior dos Santos, he bounced back with wins over Roy Nelson, Gabriel Gonzaga, and more. His big moment came in 2016 when he knocked out Fabricio Werdum to win the heavyweight title. Miocic held the belt for over two years, defending it three times against top fighters like Francis N...

Photo: Jon Jones / Instagram   UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones recently walked out of a pre-fight interview, refusing to answer questions about rising star Tom Aspinall . Jones, who is set to defend his title against Stipe Miocic in the main event at UFC 309 this Saturday at Madison Square Garden, left the interview after sensing it would be “an Aspinall fest.” Jones hasn’t fought since March when he returned to the octagon after a three-year break, defeating Ciryl Gane to claim the heavyweight belt. His upcoming opponent, 42-year-old Miocic, last fought in March 2021, where he was knocked out by Francis Ngannou . The interview, hosted by TNT Sports’ Adam Catterall, got off to an awkward start. As Jones sat down, he quickly changed his mind, telling Catterall, “I’m not going to do this interview... I’m not going to do it.” Later, Jones explained his decision, saying, “Common sense tells me what type of questions I’m going to get asked.” Photo: Jon Jones / Instagram   Jon...

Photo: Stipe Miocic/Instagram   Stipe Miocic recently shared his thoughts on why a third fight with Francis Ngannou never happened. The two heavyweights, both UFC legends, fought twice with each winning one fight. Miocic wanted one more fight to settle things, but it never came together. Miocic first fought Ngannou on January 20, 2018. At the time, Ngannou was known for his devastating knockouts, and many thought Miocic would lose. However, Miocic used his wrestling skills to control Ngannou, winning the fight by decision. When they fought again three years later, Ngannou had improved a lot, especially in his wrestling. This time, he knocked Miocic out to win the heavyweight title. Miocic wanted another chance to win the trilogy, but it wasn’t to be. Instead, Ciryl Gane got the next title shot against Ngannou. Photo: Stipe Miocic/Instagram   In a recent interview, Miocic shared his frustration, saying, “I was trying to get the rubber match. It didn’t happen, unfortunately.....

Photo: Stipe Miocic/Instagram   Stipe Miocic isn’t losing sleep over the backlash he's facing for getting a fight against Jon Jones at UFC 309. Miocic has been out of the ring for over three years, and some fans think interim heavyweight champ Tom Aspinall deserves the spot. But Miocic says the decision wasn’t his. “It wasn’t my choice,” Miocic told MMA Fighting. “I wanted this fight, and the UFC gave it to me. They didn’t have to.” Aspinall has been on a winning streak, finishing all his fights in the first two rounds, which adds to the frustration for some fans. But Miocic, with a legacy as one of the best heavyweights in UFC history, believes his fight with Jones is special and will mean more to the sport. Photo: Stipe Miocic/Instagram   “I think a lot more people want to see me fight Jones than Aspinall,” Miocic said. Miocic hasn’t fought since 2021 when he was knocked out by Francis Ngannou . He wanted a third match with Ngannou to settle the score, but that fight neve...

Photo: Francis Ngannou (Instagram) Francis Ngannou made a powerful comeback to the MMA scene with a first-round knockout of Renan Ferreira during his debut fight in the Professional Fighters League (PFL). The fight took place last Saturday in Saudi Arabia, marking Ngannou’s return to mixed martial arts after nearly three years. His return was highly anticipated, especially after losing boxing matches against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua during his break from MMA. Ngannou's victory was not without controversy. Many fans and critics believe that referee Dan Miragliotta waited too long to stop the fight. Ngannou had Ferreira pinned against the cage and delivered a series of punches while his opponent appeared defenseless. However, the fight continued longer than some felt was necessary, raising concerns about Ferreira’s safety. Ngannou himself addressed the issue in an interview with Ariel Helwani, saying, "I didn’t want to throw unnecessary punches. I thought the fight shou...

Photo: Cristiano Ronaldo (Instagram) Cristiano Ronaldo gave Francis Ngannou an emotional message just before his big win in his MMA comeback fight. Ronaldo, the soccer superstar, was at the PFL Super Fights event in Riyadh to watch his friend Ngannou fight Renan Ferreira , a 6’8" giant. Ronaldo visited Ngannou backstage before the fight, which is common for celebrities at big events.  However, this meeting was more than just a friendly visit. Ngannou's coach, Eric Nicksick, revealed that Ronaldo gave Ngannou some heartfelt advice right before the fight.  Photo: Francis Ngannou, Cristiano Ronaldo (Instagram) Ngannou had been dealing with the death of his 15-month-old son, Kobe , in April, which made him question his future in fighting. Ronaldo, who had also lost a child in 2022, shared his own experience and gave words of encouragement. This emotional conversation gave Ngannou the boost he needed before stepping into the cage. Ronaldo and Francis Ngannou's last night befo...

Photo: Renan Ferreira (Instagram) Renan Ferreira , the 6'8" Brazilian MMA fighter, shared a positive message with his fans after a brutal knockout loss to Francis Ngannou during the PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants on Saturday night. Ferreira had been favored by many to pull off an upset, but the fight quickly turned in Ngannou's favor. Ngannou, a former UFC heavyweight champion, took Ferreira to the ground and landed several powerful strikes, leading to the knockout. Fans watching feared for Ferreira, especially after he took 15 unanswered hits before going limp. However, Ferreira eased concerns with a cheerful social media post the next day. On Instagram, Ferreira posted a video from his bed, smiling and saying, “Haha, we’re back! Thank y’all for the love.” In the video, he spoke in Portuguese, admitting it was a tough night but said he was proud of his efforts. Photo: Renan Ferreira (Instagram) “Yesterday wasn’t a good day at work,” Ferreira joked, “but I’m happy...

Photo: Francis Ngannou (Instagram) Francis Ngannou made a big return to MMA last night with a first-round knockout against Renan Ferreira . The fight was intense, with Ngannou using powerful ground-and-pound to finish Ferreira. However, there’s controversy over whether some of Ngannou's punches hit the back of Ferreira’s head, which is illegal in MMA. Some fans on social media argue that Ngannou should have been disqualified for these strikes. But Ngannou’s coach, Eric Nicksick, doesn’t think the punches were illegal. He said, "I didn’t even hear or see any of that." Nicksick also believes the fight could have been stopped earlier because of the damage Ferreira was taking. Nicksick explained that he thought the referee, Dan Miragliotta, should have stopped the fight when Ngannou started landing heavy blows. He joked, "This guy must owe Dan money," referring to the fact that the fight went on longer than expected. Photo: Francis Ngannou (Instagram) Before the kn...

Photo: Francis Ngannou, Tom Aspinall (Instagram) Francis Ngannou has responded to Tom Aspinall after the UFC interim heavyweight champion questioned the quality of his opponents since leaving the UFC.  Ngannou is set to fight Renan Ferreira this Saturday in his first MMA bout since 2023, after a year of focusing on boxing matches, including a close loss to Tyson Fury and a stoppage by Anthony Joshua . Aspinall recently shared his opinion, saying Ferreira isn't an elite fighter. "I respect Francis, but the guy he's fighting is not at the top level," Aspinall said. He pointed out that Ferreira lost quickly to his training partner, Ante Delija, and suggested that Ngannou’s future opponents won’t be top-tier either. Photo: Francis Ngannou, Renan Ferreira (Instagram) Ngannou disagrees, saying that Ferreira is a strong opponent. In an interview with Bloody Elbow , Ngannou even claimed that if you put Ferreira in a room with top UFC fighters like Aspinall or Jon Jones , ...

Photo: Daniel Dubois (Instagram) In a surprising result, Daniel Dubois knocked out Anthony Joshua in the fifth round on Saturday to stay the IBF world heavyweight champion. The fight took place at Wembley Stadium in front of a record crowd of 96,000. Joshua, who was hoping to win the world title for the third time, started strong. However, Dubois gained control and delivered a powerful right punch to Joshua's chin in the fifth round, ending the fight just 59 seconds into the round. This upset was unexpected, as Joshua had won his last four fights, including a knockout victory over Francis Ngannou in March. Many thought Joshua would win and get a chance to fight the winner of the Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk rematch in December. Photo: Daniel Dubois (Instagram) Joshua, now 34, has lost four times in 32 fights. He has a rematch clause and is expected to ask for a second fight. He could also fight the loser of Fury and Usyk’s rematch. After the fight, Joshua said, "Credit t...

Photo: Francis Ngannou (Instagram) Francis Ngannou , the former UFC heavyweight champion, is set to make a big return. After leaving the UFC to sign with the Professional Fighters League (PFL), Ngannou is ready for his first fight with the new promotion. According to sources, he is expected to earn over $10 million for this debut. Ngannou’s PFL debut will take place on Saturday, October 19, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he will face Brazilian fighter Renan Ferreira . Ferreira, who stands at 6'8", is known for his impressive skills and recently won the 2023 season championship. It’s a dangerous fight for Ngannou, especially since he hasn’t competed in MMA since January 2022. Ngannou’s recent fights were in boxing. He lost a close decision to Tyson Fury in October 2023 and was knocked out by Anthony Joshua in March. Despite these losses, Ngannou is still seen as one of the top fighters in the world. Photo: Francis Ngannou (Instagram) The event, called "Battle of the Gian...

Photo: Alistair Overeem (Instagram) Alistair Overeem has faced some of the biggest names in UFC history, including Francis Ngannou and Brock Lesnar . But when asked about the toughest fight of his career, the Dutch fighter surprised everyone. Overeem revealed that his hardest opponent was not the heavy hitters like Ngannou or Lesnar, but instead, it was Fabricio Werdum. During an interview on the Jaxxon podcast, Overeem said, "I think Werdum was tough. He’s a guy who has multiple plans, and that’s tricky." Overeem and Werdum fought three times. Their first match was in 2006 during the PRIDE Heavyweight Grand Prix, where Werdum won by submission.  Photo: Alistair Overeem (Instagram) Overeem bounced back in 2011, winning their rematch by unanimous decision at a Strikeforce event. The final fight between them in 2017 ended with Overeem winning again, giving him a 2-1 edge in their rivalry. Despite Werdum being his toughest fight, Overeem acknowledged that Francis Ngannou is th...

Photo: Francis Ngannou (Instagram) Francis Ngannou , known as "The Predator," has amazed fans with his acting in the Netflix film 'Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver'. Alongside his acting debut, he has also announced his return to the fighting cage. Ngannou, famous for his powerful punches and UFC heavyweight title, starred as a gladiator in the film.  Photo: Francis Ngannou (Instagram) His performance impressed many, with fans praising his natural talent.  One fan said, "He’s actually pretty good at this," while another wrote, "Great acting."   Despite his acting success, Ngannou is focused on his fighting career.  Francis Ngannou plays the role of a gladiator in the new Netflix film Rebel Moon 🔥 #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/4p10RABZdE — Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) August 6, 2024 He announced that he will fight Renan Ferreira for the PFL heavyweight championship on October 19. Fans are eagerly awaiting this exciting matchup. Read Next...

Photo: Francis Ngannou (Instagram) Renan Ferreira has been waiting all year to fight Francis Ngannou . Standing at 6ft 8in, Ferreira was named Ngannou's opponent for his debut in the Professional Fighters League (PFL) after a stunning 21-second knockout of world champion Ryan Bader in February. Ferreira, the PFL heavyweight champion, earned his title by knocking out three opponents in 2023 to win the promotion's $1 million tournament. Bader, the Bellator heavyweight champion, couldn't match Ferreira's power.  Ferreira countered Bader's lazy jab with a powerful overhand right, quickly finishing the fight with a series of punches before the referee stopped the bout. Photo: Francis Ngannou (Instagram) After the fight, boxing legend Mike Tyson awarded Ferreira the PFL vs. Bellator belt. Ferreira then called out Ngannou, who stood up but chose not to face off with Ferreira, leaving the arena instead. Ngannou has not fought in MMA since defending his UFC heavyweight title...

Photo: Instagram/Francis Ngannou Over four months after his boxing match with Anthony Joshua , Francis Ngannou has shared his thoughts on the disappointing fight and provided an update on his return to combat sports. After his UFC contract ended, Ngannou signed with the PFL last year, becoming their top star without yet fighting for them. The PFL let Ngannou pursue his boxing dream, leading to a notable fight against Tyson Fury . Despite losing, Ngannou impressed and was set to face Anthony Joshua next. Following his strong showing against Fury, many had high hopes for Ngannou against Joshua. Unfortunately, the fight ended quickly with Ngannou knocked out in the second round. Ngannou later said something felt off before the fight. Photo: Instagram/Francis Ngannou “I got in the ring and wasn’t feeling myself," Ngannou said on the Joe Rogan Experience. "In the first round when he knocked me down, I wasn’t sure what hit me. By the time I got to my corner, my vision was blurry...

Photo: Instagram/Francis Ngannou Francis Ngannou , the former UFC heavyweight champion, is gearing up for his return to MMA under the Professional Fighters League (PFL) banner. After signing a multi-fight deal with PFL following his free agency, Ngannou has announced plans to make his debut in October.  Although he briefly entertained boxing matches with Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua , Ngannou confirmed that his immediate focus is on MMA. Ngannou revealed on The Joe Rogan Podcast that Renan Ferreira is likely to be his first opponent in PFL.  Discussions are underway for a potential clash on October 19, pending finalization by the promotion. Sources close to Ferreira have corroborated ongoing talks for the matchup. Photo: Instagram/Francis Ngannou PFL, which secured a partnership with Saudi Arabia last year, is eyeing the kingdom as the venue for Ngannou's debut, possibly featuring Cedric Doumbe on the card. Ngannou expressed his commitment to fighting under PFL's banner be...

Photo: Instagram/Francis Ngannou UFC president Dana White continues to claim that Francis Ngannou left the UFC to avoid fighting Jon Jones . It's been nearly a year and a half since Ngannou, then the heavyweight champion, parted ways with the UFC . Despite Ngannou's repeated statements that he left to gain more control over his career, White stands firm on his belief. In a conversation with Shannon Sharpe on the "Club Shay Shay" podcast, White pointed to Jon Jones' easy win over Ciryl Gane for the heavyweight title as evidence that Ngannou didn't want to face Jones. White said, "In my opinion, he does the same thing to Francis. 100 percent. He does the same thing to Francis. Francis didn't want to fight Jon Jones. Jon Jones is the scariest, most bad-ass fighter of all time." White praised Jones' fighting skills and suggested that his legacy won't be fully appreciated until he's retired. "When you talk about who the baddest ma...