WATCH: When NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal was left in shock by Francis Ngannou at UFC gym
The time when Francis Ngannou was busy practicing at the UFC gym and he got to meet a 7-foot-1-inch NBA legend.
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( image via MMA Mania)
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal has always been in touch with the MMA community, especially the UFC. UFC president Dana White and a 7-foot ex-basketball player are always in talks. Many times, Shaquille was seen in attendance at many UFC events. But this “the predator” Francis Ngannou got the surprise from an NBA legend.
Francis Ngannou, “The Predator,” is known for his strength and knockout power. Everyone remembers him lifting Ciryl Gane and completing his takedown during the matchup at UFC 270. Before coming up to being injured with his knee, Ngannou still showed the world he was powerful enough to take anyone down, even if he was tired.
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, one of MMA’s biggest fans, was asked about his match-up against Ngannou at ESPN MMA. Shaq came up with the reply “Well, I gotta defend myself. I’m not saying I wanna fight the guy. Listen, the thing about me is I’ve always been smart. I’m not a fighter. You don’t step into this guy’s world and start talking smack unless you can defend it.”
There was a time when the ex-heavyweight UFC star was practicing at the gym when he saw Shaquille O’Neal visit the same gym. It was a fun moment, not just for them but for fans as well, as they all praised and appreciated the picture and also what happened when the 7-foot-tall ex-NBA star came close to that time heavyweight champ Francis Ngannou.
Francis Ngannou surprised everyone when he lifted Shaquille O’Neal
Francis Ngannou is no doubt one of the scariest fighters in combat sports. Knocking out fighters like Stipe Miocic, who is known for his GOAT status in the heavyweight division of the UFC, Cain Velasquez, a former champ, Junior Dos Santos also the former champ, Jairzinho Rozenstruik, and Alistair Overeem. But this time he gave a demo to a person who was not familiar with what he got.
Shaquille told the incident that when he said Francis Ngannou’s training, he was impressed by his hard work. Francis Ngannou was showing his hunger to become the champion. He then said “he was hitting like a machine, he was working hard, he was hitting the bag very hard. Then he came and picked me up.” Comparing his strength he said everyone knows no one able to pick him up like this so easily.
Shaquille was impressed with the strength of Francis, as he said in the interview.
Francis is no longer in touch with the UFC, so fans may not see Shaquille and Ngannou that easily in the same building. The Predator is now preparing to fight former boxing champ Deotany Wilder in the boxing ring.
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Siddid Dey Purkayastha
(528 Articles Published)