Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou was undefeated within the UFC when he confronted Stipe Miocic at UFC 220 for the heavyweight title. He was defeated by unanimous choice however Ngannou says that was the ‘greatest battle of his profession.’
Talking on Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson, Ngannou defined what that loss did for his mentality and the way a lot he discovered in that battle.
“I used to be by no means actually like MMA stuff till I obtained the UFC contract. Then I used to be like hmm, then I believe I would like to do that proper as a result of it is whether or not you do it or you do not do it. You do not do it half approach. That is the second I actually get into MMA,” Ngannou stated.
“I get the UFC contact after which I am like, okay, this was not simply to make enjoyable anymore. It’s a must to go all in. That is the place I used to be like, okay, Im going to do that,” Ngannou continued.
“I get there and every part appeared simple for me. I might simply get in there, I did not haven’t any expertise, however I used to be knocking folks out. Sooner or later you type of not push your self till I get the Stipe Miocic battle. That was my first actual battle. I misplaced that battle after which from that evening I understood every part. In the event you ask me, thus far, that is the most effective battle of my profession. Not the end result that I needed.
“The Stipe battle was my greatest battle as a result of after that battle I knew that wasn’t going to occur once more and I knew why. I knew the way it felt to be there, at that second, to get in deep water, on the lookout for oxygen to breath. I did not get ready for that battle correctly. Every thing round that battle was mistaken, however I would not have figured that out if the battle did not go mistaken.”
Ngannou left the UFC after combating out his contract in January 2022. He left the promotion on a six-fight successful streak however could not come to phrases with the UFC throughout negotiations for a brand new deal.
He later signed with the Skilled Fighters League (PFL) and landed a boxing match towards Tyson Fury. He and Fury are set to battle on Oct. 28 in Saudi Arabia. He is anticipated to earn extra in that battle than he did in all of his UFC bouts mixed.
