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      Francis Ngannou closing in on Deontay Wilder boxing fight and says ‘somebody’s head off will be taken OFF’

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      FRANCIS NGANNOU revealed he is closing in on a deal to fight Deontay Wilder – and made a brutal prediction for it. Ngannou is a free agent after leaving the UFC following a breakdown in contract negotiations.
      Francis Ngannou revealed he is closing in on a deal to fight Deontay WilderCredit: GETTY
      And the Cameroonian confirmed he is eyeing a boxing switch and has held talks to face Anthony Joshua.
      But it is American star Wilder who Ngannou, 36, is deepest in conversations with.
      He said on The MMA Hour: “Yes, we have had the conversation and at this moment, we’re more closer than with anybody else.”
      Ngannou revealed summer is the target fight date for a bout which will bring together two of the biggest punchers in history.
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      He said: “I think somebody will take somebody’s head off. I would just try [for it] not to be mine. I think that’s probably what’s going to happen.”
      Ngannou is leaving the door open to an MMA return as he nears a move to boxing and has the Professional Fighters League and ONE Championship in mind.
      He said: “I have made a decision. Without making a done deal, I know what my next move is going to be.
      “I know that I want to fight boxing first and then after that I will fight MMA. I’m going to sign with one MMA promotion.
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      “I haven’t made a decision on that yet, [but I’m] very close. PFL and ONE FC right now, we are very close. We will see.”
      Ngannou added: “I’m going to do what I’m doing, and what is interesting about it, obviously there is huge money down here, but also, most of this deal has been viewed as a partnership, which is great for me.
      “I feel well-respected, appreciated. It is different. It feels different. Listen, I never thought there was an MMA promotion that pays more than UFC, or that has [more] money than the UFC.
      “If the UFC wants to pay somebody, they will pay you, but the way that he comes, I’m not down for it. I’d rather get something with more value.
      “My last three years weren’t so happy, so excited. Maybe at the end of the day, this is good for everybody.”
      Deontay Wilder is in talks to fight Francis Ngannou in the summerCredit: Getty More

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      Jake Paul hilariously called out to MMA fight by ex-UFC star Dan Hardy, 40, with timeline for PFL debut revealed

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      JAKE PAUL has been called out by Dan Hardy ahead of his anticipated MMA debut. The YouTuber-turned-prizefighter this year signed a deal with UFC’s rivals the Professional Fighters League.
      Jake Paul is lined up for an MMA debut with PFLCredit: Skills Challenge
      Dan Hardy has signed on with PFL Europe
      Paul, 26, is due to head up a “super-fight” series which will also host his debut in the cage.
      Ex-UFC title challenger Hardy – now on board with PFL Europe – joked that he would be the perfect opponent for the American.
      He told talkSPORT: “If he wants an opponent in MMA, I’m ideal.
      “I’m 40, I’ve been out of it for ten years now, my takedown defence sucks, my wrestling is terrible, I’ve got no ground game and I love a punch up.
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      “If he’s looking for an opponent in MMA, I mean, I’m probably a safer bet than Tyron Woodley. You would think, right?”
      Paul has beaten ex-MMA champions Ben Askren, 38, Woodley, 40, and Anderson Silva, 47, during his career.
      But in his first bout against a professional boxer, he was beaten, losing a split-decision to Tommy Fury, 23.
      The pair are rumoured to be lined up for a rematch, which could backdate Paul’s debut in the PFL cage.
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      Hardy said: “I’ve spoken with Jake Paul’s manager a couple of times for various different reasons.
      “So, I am in contact with the camp, but we’ll see what happens.
      “I think he’s planning another boxing match first and I think he’ll be doing a lot more promotional work than competing with the PFL.”
      Jake Paul was beaten on points by Tommy FuryCredit: Getty More

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      Conor McGregor wants Floyd Mayweather rematch and says boxing legend failed to ‘honour’ deal to fight UFC star in MMA

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      CONOR McGREGOR wants a rematch with Floyd Mayweather and claims a deal to fight each other in MMA was never honoured.McGregor put his UFC career on hold in 2017 to cross over to the boxing world for a money-spinning bout with the American legend.
      Floyd Mayweather beat Conor McGregor in 2017 and the Irishman wants a rematchCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      During their heated press tour, Mayweather boldly stated he would return the favour for a rematch in the cage.
      So far, the promise has not been kept after McGregor was beaten in ten rounds in the ring.
      Now, approaching six years on, the Irishman, 34, wants another shot at Mayweather, 46.
      McGregor said on Fox News: “That was the original, it was a verbal agreement, I box him, he fights me. But he didn’t honour it.
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      “He didn’t honoured it yet you know, who knows? I would go against him in another boxing bout. I’d like another crack at it.”
      Mayweather officially retired after the cash-grab fight which is said to have banked him around £300MILLION.
      But he has continued to box in exhibition bouts since and last year revealed he was in talks to face McGregor again.
      The ex-UFC champion remains open to the rematch between the ropes – but warned he could go off script.
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      McGregor joked: “I could always just say it’s going to be a boxing fight and just bend the rules a little bit when we’re in there.”
      The southpaw is set to return against Michael Chandler in his first fight since suffering a horror leg break in a loss to Dustin Poirier in July 2021.
      McGregor said: “I’m hoping end of summer. We’re working towards late summer.
      “I always train, I train everyday but I was filming the show and I’ve got a couple of commitments, this tour as well, this tour around St Patricks week.
      “But when this finishes it will be isolation, I’ll go in formulate my camp.”
      Conor McGregor is set to return against Michael ChandlerCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      Francis Ngannou CONFIRMS talks with Jake Paul after leaving the UFC and reveals he could sign for MMA rivals PFL

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      FRANCIS NGANNOU has CONFIRMED talks with Jake Paul after leaving the UFC and revealed he could sign for a rival MMA promotion. Ngannou walked out on the UFC while still heavyweight champion after failing to agree a contract extension.
      Francis Ngannou is open to signing for the PFLCredit: Getty
      Jake Paul has expressed an interest in signing with Jake PaulCredit: Getty
      YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul is among those to have voiced interest in signing the heavyweight to his Most Valuable Promotions banner.
      And Paul has recently signed a deal with the UFC’s competitors the Professional Fighters League – which could be Ngannou’s new MMA home.
      He told TMZ Sports: “It depends on where I am but I do think we can work together [with Jake Paul].
      “Also speaking of the PFL I have had a conversation with them too, so yes this is something in the near future that could happen very quick.”
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      Ngannou, 36, is open to a boxing switch and revealed he is negotiating a two-fight deal with Deontay Wilder, 37.
      And the pair of hard-hitting former world champions could take the crossover mega-fight to Africa.
      Ngannou said: “He’s ready for that. He’s very excited about it. He wants it. So, we are looking into that.
      “That’s something I’m very excited about. We even discussed a potential fight in Africa and one fight somewhere else.
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      “Why not even the two fights in Africa?”
      Ngannou added: “I can knock everybody out. I have to be clear about something.
      “To hit that person you have to get a clear shot, which is more about technique and experience I don’t have. So, I’m very aware of that aspect.”
      Deontay Wilder pictured with Francis Ngannou at the UFC’s training facility More

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      Logan Paul CONFIRMS boxing return in first fight since Floyd Mayweather… and rival says it will be against ex-UFC star

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      LOGAN PAUL has CONFIRMED his boxing return – but has tried to keep his opponent a secret. The YouTube, crossover boxing and WWE star has not been in the ring since his June 2021 exhibition with Floyd Mayweather.
      Logan Paul in his exhibition bout with Floyd MayweatherCredit: Sean Michael Ham/Mayweather Promotions
      Paul, 27, took Mayweather, 46, the distance and was due to return to boxing in January.
      He was in talks to face 2-0 MMA fighter and online rival Dillon Danis, 29, until a knee injury starring in the WWE ruled him out.
      Well now Paul – while on his podcast with Dave Portnoy – revealed his next fight is set in stone.
      He said: “I’ve got a new opponent. Not said yet. I’ll tell you and we’ll bleep it.”
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      Paul then reveals who he will fight, with the sound bleeped, as Portnoy responded: “No s***.”
      And Paul replied: “Cool, right? I don’t know what’s going on either.”
      Danis, a known troll, attempted to hijack the announcement by tweeting: “He ran from me to go fight 1-5 Darren Till.”
      Till, 30, recently hit the headlines after requesting his release from the UFC, having lost his last three fights.
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      He added fuel to Danis’ speculation by tweeting an emoji of boxing gloves and a money bag.
      Till himself admitted he would be interested in a switch to the ring against a celebrity star.
      And the ex-UFC welterweight revealed he has been contacted by rival promoters after his release.
      Darren Till has been released by the UFCCredit: Getty More

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      Jake Paul reveals what previous opponent is ‘tougher’ than Tommy Fury and admits ‘biggest thing’ that led to loss

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      JAKE PAUL has claimed Tommy Fury was NOT the toughest opponent of his career and opened up about what cost him their fight. The YouTuber-turned boxer fell to his first ever defeat after losing a split-decision in Saudi Arabia.
      Jake Paul claimed Tommy Fury was not the toughest opponentCredit: Getty
      But Paul has insisted UFC legend Anderson Silva was tougher than Fury, who he admitted was a good combination puncher.
      On his brother Logan’s podcast, he said: “That is what is p***ing me off the most, that it had nothing to do with him it had everything to do with me.
      “He wasn’t that great, at all, I think Anderson was tougher than him, and I figured out that puzzle. He threw a lot of punches, that’s his biggest thing.”
      Paul, 26, defeated Silva, 47, in October in his last fight before the celebrity grudge match.
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      But Fury, 23, was the first recognised boxer the YouTuber-turned prizefighter had faced in his seven-bout career.
      Now the pair look set to rematch in the summer as Paul heaped praise on his British rival.
      Paul said: “He’s definitely blossomed. He’s an overnight superstar and it’s great for him.
      “He’s a good kid and we had a bunch of respect for each other; we spoke in the locker room and he said let’s do the rematch.
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      “He seems very level-headed and down to earth. We talked a lot of s*** and did a great job promoting it but there was mutual respect there and we hugged. 
      “I have respect for the guy, that’s the most beautiful thing about this sport.
      “You can be arch-enemies and then find respect for each other after beating the s*** out of each other and going to war.”
      Anderson Silva was beaten by Jake PaulCredit: Esther Lin/ SHOWTIME
      Tommy Fury and Jake Paul are set to rematchCredit: Getty More

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      ‘I’m not buying it’ – Jake Paul and Floyd Mayweather accused of staging altercation by Dana White amid fight rumours

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      JAKE PAUL and Floyd Mayweather have been accused of staging their street altercation by UFC president Dana White. Paul was filmed fleeing from Mayweather and his entourage and claimed they tried to jump him after a Miami Heat game.
      Floyd Mayweather and Dana White pictured in 2019Credit: Getty – Contributor
      Jake Paul was involved in a street altercation with Floyd MayweatherCredit: @JAKEPAUL
      It has fuelled speculation the rivals could settle the score in the boxing ring, leaving the likes of White skeptical.
      He told TMZ Sports: “I just can’t see Floyd doing that. I can’t see Floyd rolling up on somebody and doing that.
      “It’s not Floyd’s style. It’s not really his personality. I thought it was a skit. I’m not buying it.
      “When’s the last time you saw Floyd Mayweather act like a thug and roll up on somebody with 50 people?
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      “That’s just not what Floyd does. Yeah, I’m not buying it.”
      Paul’s feud with Mayweather started two years ago, before his brother Logan’s June 2021 exhibition with the boxing legend.
      The self-proclaimed “Problem Child” stole Mayweather’s cap at a press conference, sparking a mass brawl.
      A month later, Logan, 27, went the eight-round distance in the exhibition bout.
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      Paul, 26, has rivalled Mayweather, 46, ever since and called to settle it in the ring – but only in a sanctioned fight with records on the line.
      He tweeted: “Floyd will not see me 1 on 1 in a real fight. That’s a fact. His team has hit my team numerous times to do one of his ‘exhibitions’.
      “Now he ambushes me. Come see me in the ring, real fight, no exhibition robbing fans bulls***.”
      Floyd Mayweather and Jake Paul were involved in a melee in 2021Credit: AFP More

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      Deontay Wilder reaches ‘verbal agreement’ to fight Francis Ngannou as ex-UFC champ eyes blockbuster in Africa

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      FRANCIS NGANNOU revealed he has a “verbal agreement” to fight Deontay Wilder – which is being eyed for Africa. Ngannou is a free agent after leaving the UFC following a breakdown in contract negotiations.
      Francis Ngannou revealed he has a ‘verbal agreement’ to fight Deontay WilderCredit: AFP
      Deontay Wilder is in talks to fight Francis NgannouCredit: Getty
      And the Cameroonian confirmed he is eyeing a boxing switch and has held talks to face Anthony Joshua.
      But it is American star Wilder, 37, who Ngannou, 36, is deepest in conversations with.
      And they could look to fight in Africa next year on the 50th anniversary of Muhammad Ali’s Rumble in The Jungle.
      Ngannou told ESPN: “Yes we’ve been having some exchanges.
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      “We’ve basically come into some sort of verbal agreement that we want to fight each other. We want two fights.
      “Maybe one of those fights in Africa, maybe two of them in Africa. Which would be massive – which would be great.
      “I think August next year is the 50th anniversary of the Rumble in the Jungle and I think that would be an opportunity to do something massive in Africa.”
      Ali beat George Foreman in 1974 in Zaire, one of boxing’s most iconic fights.
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      Wilder has offered to face Ngannou in both the ring and cage as part of a two-bout deal.
      But Ngannou prefers to instead just box and could eye October 2024 for their proposed rematch on the anniversary of the Rumble.
      He said: “We are looking around that timeline for the potential second fight. Which, in my opinion, should still be in boxing.
      “Boxing is a new challenge, but remember, at the beginning, MMA was just as challenging as boxing – if not bigger.
      “So, I don’t back down from challenges.” 
      Deontay Wilder pictured with Francis Ngannou at the UFC’s training facility More