Not UFC 299 but Francis Ngannou Reveals the Reason Behind Having to Prepone His Event Ahead of a Clash With Dana Whites Miami Event

The boxing world is filled with interesting fights this year, and one of them is the heavyweight clash between Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou. The one thing that must have hit the UFC as well as Dana White was the absence of Ngannou under their roster. Interestingly, Ngannou’s boxing event was supposed to clash with UFC 299 but the promoters changed the date. Was it supposed to be to avoid a clash with Dana White?

Well, UFC is in for a tremendous year as White has announced some of the most anticipated fights. So was the date change really to avoid any clash with White? Ngannou would beg to differ on this matter.

Francis Ngannou reveals the real reason behind the date change

As soon as the boxing world announced the matchup between Francis Ngannou and Anthony Joshua, Dana White took to social media to drop a bombshell by announcing the matchup between Dustin Poirier vs. Benoit Saint-Denis on UFC 299 and Charles Oliveira vs. Arman Tsarukyan on UFC 300.

Before White’s announcement, Ngannou asserted that the dates for the boxing event would be changed for unspecified reasons. People speculated that the change was to avoid any clash with UFC 299. However, the real reason is much different. While having a conversation with Ariel Helwani, Ngannou asserted that the change of the date was mainly due to avoiding a clash with Formula One.

“I think because they have a, uh, close show, um, on a Saturday, which is probably the Formula One, I think. I believe, uh, on Saturday. So that’s why I make the fight on Friday, and we couldn’t move it on Saturday. So that’s why it’s a little confusing because even me at first, I’m like the ninth, right? So then they’re saying the eighth for certain, for that reason probably, but we still going to find out.” said Ngannou on The MMA Hour.

Ngannou’s venture into the boxing world is still underway; however, it must be noted that he has signed͏ a ͏deal with the PFL, and there is a possibility that he might compete in an MMA bout this year as͏ well.

Ngannou might be fighting in the MMA arena

Ngannou has also inked a deal with the PFL, hinting at a potential comeback to MMA later in 2024. His last foray into the cage resulted in a victory over Ciryl Gane at UFC 270, marking his farewell from the promotion. Since then, he has been on hiatus from MMA competition. The fighter is going to face Joshua at the premium boxing event and seems like he has set his eyes on something beyond the boxing.

“It doesn’t affect it at all. First of all, when I received a call and proposal for this fight, I reached out to PFL and told them. We’re in business together, you know? They gave me their blessing for the opportunity, and said “We can’t take this type of opportunity off of you’.So, I was happy to do that.” Said Ngannou to Helwani. “The Predator” explained that there have been talks about Deontay Wilder‘s MMA fight in PFL.

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Francis Ngannou might be boxing twice this year with a single MMA fight, however nothing has been made certain yet. Nonetheless, Whats your expectations from Ngannou?

Read More: Dustin Poirier vs. Benoit Saint Denis and Charles Oliveira vs. Arman Tsarukyan Fights for UFC 299 and UFC 300 Announced by Dana White