Deontay Wilder is ‘all about change’ but will fight Francis Ngannou only under THESE conditions in MMA

Francis Ngannou and Deontay Wilder are open to engaging in talks for a crossover fight. However, Deontay Wilder is unclear on the rules and requires clarification.

Deontay Wilder is ‘all about change’ but will fight Francis Ngannou only under THESE conditions in MMA

Deontay Wilder and Francis Ngannou (image credit- IMAGO0

Deontay Wilder has expressed genuine interest in a potential crossover match-up with Francis Ngannou in boxing or MMA. However, Wilder has not understood the PFL’s plans for this crossover event. Talks about the fight emerged after Ngannou fought an amazing performance against Tyson Fury in a boxing match in October.

PFL co-founder Donn Davis has stated that he wants to book a “mixed rules” fight between Ngannou and Wilder. In addition, both Francis Ngannou and Wilder seem to be entertaining talks of a massive crossover fight. This is what Wilder stated about the mixed-rules fight: 

I’d have to hear more about these mixed rules. I wouldn’t mind fighting in the cage and stuff, but I’d have to understand how the mixed rules are distributed. What do they mean mixed rules? What can and can’t we do?
Deontay Wilder via DAZN
YouTube video

Wilder stated that he was interested in facing Ngannou, even if it’s a mixed-rules bout inside a cage. However, Wilder would like to know what the PFL and its co-founder Davis meant by the fight being a ‘mixed rues’ bout. The chances of this fight happening remain high if Wilder agrees to the terms of a mixed-rules bout.

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Furthermore, Wilder stated that the rules would be clear if they did one boxing fight and one MMA fight. Wilder also remains open to a single fight with mixed rules. However, he wished to clear out the rules before the fight negotiations started.

Deontay Wilder speaks about the fight with Francis Ngannou

Wilder predicts that his fight with Ngannou will be phenomenal and massive if it happens in 2024. After not being satisfied with his career, Ngannou joined the PFL after leaving the UFC and his heavyweight title. Subsequently, Ngannou booked a huge crossover fight with the WBC champion Fury.

Francis Ngannou vs. Deontay Wilder might happen next year in the PFL
Francis Ngannou vs. Deontay Wilder might happen next year in the PFL (via IMAGO)

Hence, in his boxing debut, Ngannou fought a world champion, which usually happens when you are a number-one contender. In addition, Ngannou proved himself and even scored a knockdown against Fury, ultimately losing via decision. The result was considered a robbery, but it opened several doors for Ngannou, including a fight with Wilder.

While speaking about Ngannou, Wilder revealed that he was supposed to fight Ngannou before Fury. However, Wilder believed that this caused Ngannou to prove himself, increasing the hype for his fight with Ngannou.

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