Messy and slow rather than the barnstormer both promised, Tyson Fury asserted full control early and retained his WBC heavyweight strap with a sixth-round TKO win over British rival Dillian Whyte as a record 94,000 crowd watched at Wembley. Afterwards, he insisted it’s now time to retire before leaving the door open for exhibition fights, like a hybrid matchup vs. UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou: who was among the interested audience ringside. Continue reading
Tag: Francis Ngannou
UFC 270: Ngannou inflicts Gane’s first defeat, after Figueiredo regains flyweight strap
After plenty of build-up, expectations and storylines aplenty, the first UFC PPV event of the new year didn’t disappoint. Deiveson Figueiredo regained his flyweight title in a competitive chess match with Brandon Moreno before Francis Ngannou fought through pre-existing knee injuries to make the first defence of his heavyweight strap against former training partner Ciryl Gane. Continue reading
UFC 270: Ngannou vs. Gane – Long-awaited heavyweight unification bout upon us
The heavyweight champion makes his first title defence this weekend against a familiar foe, with a well-documented backstory and storyline that has plenty invested. Will interim titlist Gane – who knows him intimately – prove spoiler? Or can the Cameroonian reign supreme? Continue reading
Francis Ngannou’s desire for boxing clause in future UFC deal an unwelcome distraction
Ahead of his first title defence against former training partner and interim titlist Ciryl Gane on January 22, UFC’s heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has stressed a need for there to be provisions allowing him to box professionally, if and when he agrees terms on a new deal with the promotion. While his wishes have been well-documented, this added noise helps no-one. Continue reading
Daukaus-Lewis a classic matchup between rising contender and dangerous veteran
Although he fell way short of his own sky-high expectations against Ciryl Gane for interim gold in August, Derrick Lewis wants to end 2021 by righting that wrong against soaring heavyweight contender Chris Daukaus set for his first main event this weekend. Continue reading
No rush: UFC heavyweight prospect Tom Aspinall happy for gradual growth
After earning fast finishes against Jake Collier, Alan Baudot, former champion Andrei Arlovski and most recently Sergey Spivak in his first four UFC appearances since debuting last July, there’s a clamour from many to witness Britain’s Tom Aspinall face much tougher opposition in a division lacking true prospects. Currently ranked #11, he doesn’t see the need to rush. Continue reading
UFC 265: Gane outclasses Lewis with R3 TKO, becomes new interim HW champion
Ciryl Gane (#3) improved to 10-0 after another impressive win – this time in enemy territory from Houston’s Toyota Center – blasting Derrick Lewis (#2) with a third-round TKO finish to seize the UFC’s interim heavyweight title. Beforehand, there were impressive victories for a determined bantamweight contender in Jose Aldo as well as welterweight title hopeful Vicente Luque.
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UFC 265: Derrick Lewis, Ciryl Gane preview their interim heavyweight title fight
Ahead of their interim heavyweight title fight headliner at this weekend’s UFC 265 PPV, Derrick Lewis (#2) and Ciryl Gane (#3) have previewed an intriguing matchup that could either be a boring 25-minute affair or live up to the billing: one of the pair landing a devastating knockout.
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UFC Vegas 30: Composed Ciryl Gane passes Alexander Volkov test, remains unbeaten
After five tests of increasing difficulty, Ciryl Gane knew the Volkov challenge was a necessary litmus test to see whether he was more than the UFC’s rapidly-growing hype machine. During an entertaining striking battle, the Frenchman passed with flying colours and won all five rounds on two of the three judges’ scorecards, before eyeing a title shot vs. Francis Ngannou. Continue reading
UFC Vegas 30: Ciryl Gane, Alexander Volkov welcome a pivotal main event task
In a division that has been deemed imbalanced for a while, this matchup pits two of the top five heavyweights against one another – something they both expect will help produce the best version of themselves with the lure of a potential title shot dangling for Saturday night’s winner.
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UFC 260: Ngannou wants more activity, targets July-August for Jon Jones fight
Newly crowned champion Francis Ngannou had plenty to say at the post-fight press conference, from reflecting on his arduous journey to world title gold in an unforgettable rematch, if there should be a Stipe Miocic trilogy, to when he’ll be ready for his first defence against Jon Jones. Continue reading
UFC 260: Francis Ngannou knocks out Stipe Miocic, is new heavyweight champion
Francis Ngannou (#1) showed the requisite adjustments, was measured and importantly picked his moments methodically before dethroning Stipe Miocic during their main event rematch with a devastating second-round knockout – becoming the UFC’s new heavyweight champion.
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