“That Was My Real First Fight” – Despite Having a Fight Booked Against Tyson Fury, Francis Ngannou Drops a Surprising Claim on the Best Fight of His Career

When Francis Ngannou was steamrolling through the UFC Heavyweight roster, he was the main draw of the main events. The man was the hardest hitter in the world and was knocking out Heavyweights bigger than him effortlessly. That is why, when Ngannou left the UFC to join the PFL, it left a gaping hole in the division, which was then filled by the return of current HW champ Jon Jones.

Ngannou has fought many fights in the UFC. He has lost some fights, and he has won some. His UFC statistics stand at 17-3-0, with two of his losses coming at the hands of Stipe Miocic and Derrick Lewis. However, in a recent podcast interview with Mike Tyson, Ngannou opened up on the fight that was a game-changer for him – the fight that is his favorite fight in his career.

The fight that changed everything for Francis Ngannou – His best fight ever

At UFC 218, Francis Ngannou knocked out one of the most feared and skilled Heavyweights – Alistair Overeem. Ngannou had six fights leading up to the Overeem fight and he had won all 6. His brute strength had carried him all the way. However, his next fight was different. One of the best Heavyweight fighters of all time, Stipe Miocic, ended Ngannou’s glorious run as he handed him his first loss via unanimous decision. In a recent podcast interview with Mike Tyson, Ngannou spoke about his early days in the UFC, what changed him to be a better fighter, and which was his best fight.

“I love fighting. Yes, I was having fun. Then fight sometime, I get some money. It was cool, you know? But, then I get the UFC contract and I’m like okay, this is not just to make fun anymore. You have to go all in… you know? That’s where I really like… okay, I’m going to do this.“, recalls the Cameroonian giant.

Ngannou then opened up on the early days of his UFC run. “So, the thing is, I get there and everything seem easy for me. I was just getting there. Didn’t have no experience but was knocking people out. You know, at some point, you kind of like… not put yourself right into it – not push yourself, until I get the Stipe fight.“. Talking about the Stipe Miocic fight in detail, Ngannou said, “That was the first fight – that was my real first fight. I lose that fight and then I think like from that night, I understand – I understood everything. That was – if you ask me, so far that’s the best fight in my career. Not the outcome that I wanted.“.

The former UFC HW champ proceeded to emphasize why the Miocic fight was so important to him. “The Stipe fight was my best fight because after that fight, I knew that okay this not going to happen again.‘.

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Ngannou has tussled with some real heavyweights in the UFC and before he joined the promotion as well. If he holds the Stipe Miocic fight in such high regard, then the current HW champ Jon Jones has his work cut out for him.

Fighting the Gypsy King next – Francis Ngannou’s next big fight

Boxing’s favorite champion, Tyson Fury is booked to fight Francis Ngannou on 28 October, in Saudi Arabia. This boxing bout promises to be one for the history books. Two of the biggest names from the respective combat sports are set to collide. The fight will be under the usual norms of a boxing bout.

While Fury, who is the current WBC champion, has the natural advantage of being forged in boxing, Ngannou’s jaw-shattering power is not something that can be overlooked. According to sources, the former UFC HW champ stands to make north of $10 million.

With such a staggering purse on the line, it would have been foolish of Ngannou not to take the fight. However, for the fight fans, it is nothing short of a super-fight. Who do you think wins? Let us know in the comments below.

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