“Deontay has balls” – PFL founder’s HUGE news on Francis Ngannou’s potential mixed-rules opponent Deontay Wilder has MMA world buzzing with excitement 

The PFL founder Donn Davis announced that Francis Ngannou might face Deontay Wilder next year for a mixed-rule fight.


“Deontay has balls” – PFL founder’s HUGE news on Francis Ngannou’s potential mixed-rules opponent Deontay Wilder has MMA world buzzing with excitement 

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

The PFL founder Donn Davis just broke the news about Francis Ngannou fighting in the PFL next year. Ngannou signed a lucrative deal with the PFL in May 2023 after being cut from the UFC in January. Now, Davis said that the only opponent that’s compelling for Ngannou was Deontay Wilder.

Donn Davis made an appearance on the MMA Hour show recently. In the show, he discussed Francis Ngannou’s future in the PFL. The PFL founder confirmed that the Cameroonian would fight in the PFL next year. But, he didn’t know when. As such, he showed interest in a mixed-rule fight between Ngannou and Deontay Wilder. Further, he mentioned that other than Wilder all the other options weren’t that exciting. Here is what he said:

We don't know other than that he (Francis Ngannou) will fight in the PFL in 2024. We don't know if it's first or last quarter. And, I still think it'll be a mixed-rule fight. And I still think that Deontay Wilder is the most likely opponent. That would be unbelievable! I think the second and third options are much less compelling.
Donn Davis (via MMA Hour)
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The PFL officially acquired the long-running successful MMA promotion Bellator as of today. Donn Davis stated that this created a new MMA global powerhouse. With a (tentative) matchup between Francis Ngannou and Deontay Wilder, they can compete with the leading MMA promotions like UFC and One Championship.

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Francis Ngannou was the UFC heavyweight champion. He left the promotion after failing to negotiate a fruitful contract. Later, he joined the PFL for a multimillion-dollar deal and they gave him the freedom to partake in boxing.

As such, he fought the WBC champion Tyson Fury in his last match. Although he lost, it was a closely contested bout. Next, a fight with Deontay Wilder would explode the MMA world.

Fans react to the possible fight between Francis Ngannou and Deontay Wilder

Francis Ngnnou rose to a new level of stardom after his fight with Tyson Fury in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Although he lost the fight, he scored a knockdown against the WBC champion. Later, he earned a #10 ranking in the World Boxing Council.

Now, PFL founder Donn Davis stated that Ngannou might face Deontay Wilder in a mixed-rule fight in the PFL.

Francis Ngannou might face Deontay Wilder according to PFL founder Donn Davis
Francis Ngannou might face Deontay Wilder according to PFL founder Donn Davis (via DAZN)

Donn Davis confirmed that Francis Ngannou would make his debut in the PFL next year. After this news, combat sports were in a frenzy on the internet. Here are some interesting reactions from the fans:

https://twitter.com/markdusseau_/status/1726754284413272354

Fans were excited for the matchup. However, they acknowledged that Francis Ngnnou had the upper hand as he has an MMA background. But, Deontay Wilder was ranked #1 in the WBC rankings.

He won his last fight against Robert Helinius by a vicious knockout in the very first round. Now, he has a boxing bout scheduled in December 2023 against Joseph Parker. As per the PFL founder, he might face Francis Ngannou in a Boxing-MMA crossover bout next year.

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