UFC

OLEKSANDR USYK has told Tyson Fury their undisputed Saudi decider has to happen on December 23 or NEVER.The Gypsy King crept over the line to narrowly beat MMA star Francis Ngannou after being DROPPED in the third round, and Frank Warren claimed his star man would NOT be fit for the Christmas cracker.
But SunSport understands December 23 is written in the £200million three-fight contract and only a serious injury and bonafide doctor’s note can delay the bout by a couple of weeks – at most.

RESULT: Tyson Fury beat Francis Ngannou (split decision)

Follow ALL the post-match action with our live blog below…
Usyk’s ultimatum
Oleksandr Usyk has warned Tyson Fury it’s December 23 or bust for their historic undisputed title fight.
He said: “Uncle Frank [Warren] says some sneaky things.
“We have a contract that says the fight has to take place on Dec 23rd.
“Let Fury vacate his title first, then he can take his rest.
“Tyson – we must fight, we must do it, Dec 23rd. See you in the ring. I love you.”
Hearn lost for words
Eddie Hearn admits he was absolutely baffled by how Tyson Fury’s clash with Francis Ngannou went.
The Matchroom Boxing chief said: “I’m absolutely lost for words.
‘Fury looked like he’d never laced up a pair of gloves before. I thought Ngannou won by two rounds.
“Forget Fury vs Usyk, no-one’s interested, just give us Fury vs Anthony Joshua. AJ will knock Fury out inside six rounds.”
Credit: Getty
Ngannou’s thoughts on the scorecards
Francis Ngannou reckons Tyson Fury owes a great deal to the two judges who scored their crossover clash in his favour.
He wrote on social media: “Tyson should say thank you to those 2 judges because I didn’t win this fight.”
Mike Tyson responds to robbery claim
Former undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson has dismissed claims that Francis Ngannou was robbed of victory over Tyson Fury.
He said: “It wasn’t a robbery, because everybody knows the outcome.”
Usyk advice
Oleksandr Usyk has revealed he was shouting advice to Tyson Fury as he laboured to victory over Francis Ngannou.
He told Boxing King Media: “At the knockdown, I said, ‘Woah, woah, woah, woah, woah – Francis, be careful, please!’
“I said, ‘Tyson, jab, jab, move, jab!’
“It’s true, I was a little bit nervous that our fight was possibly in jeopardy.
“I even started to shout out to him some small things, like: ‘Use your jab, jab him faster.’ That’s it.
Credit: GETTY
Eye sore
Tyson Fury has been left with a huge black eye on the left side of his face following his narrow win over Francis Ngannou.
Looks like it’ll take a while to disappear.

Fury tipped to retire after Ngannou embarrassment
George Groves has tipped Tyson Fury to hang up his gloves after his narrow win over boxing novice Francis Ngannou.
During an appearance on talkSPORT, he said: “I’m not sure if he’ll ever box again, I think he might sail off into the sunset.
“He will have got paid a lot of money.”
Banter from Ngannou
Tyson Fury’s pre-fight claim that losing to Francis Ngannou would be like Novak Djokovic losing to a table tennis player has been mocked by the MMA star.
Ngannou shared a snap of himself staring over a felled Fury, who he dropped in the third round, on his Twitter and Instagram pages.
His accompanying caption read: “Table Tennis champion of the world.”
Credit: Getty
Judges’ scorecards
The judges’ scorecards for Tyson Fury’s controversial victory over Francis Ngannou have been revealed.
The fight was a close one, to say the least.

Usyk’s ultimatum
Oleksandr Usyk has warned Tyson Fury that it’s now or never for their undisputed title fight after The Gypsy King’s promoter Frank Warren poured cold water on the fight coming to fruition for December 23.
He said:“I don’t think anything about Tyson Fury’s performance, I let him think about me.
“I just need him on December 23.
“The fight is happening on December 23, we have it in the contract It’s December 23 or never.”
Credit: GETTY
Hearn confident after Fury display
Eddie Hearn is confident that Anthony Joshua would knock out Tyson Fury.
The claim comes after Fury’s controversial win over Francis Ngannou.
And Hearn reckons that AJ would see off the Gypsy King in “six rounds”.
Eubank Jr gives opinion
Chris Eubank Jr has claimed that Francis Ngannou should have been awarded the win over Tyson Fury.
The boxer joked that the Gypsy King had spent too much time “filming Netflix documentaries”.
He posted: “Watching from ringside I thought Ngannou won the fight.
“It was close but he was the aggressor, landed heavier shots & scored a knockdown.
“Fury deserved to lose after having so much trouble against a man who has never boxed before… too much time filming Netflix specials not enough time in the gym I’m guessing. Unlucky Francis.”
Fight ‘fix’ spotted
Boxing fans claim to have spotted the moment that they “knew” Tyson Fury’s win over Francis Ngannou was “fixed”.
After the fact, Ngannou told ESPN that even Fury would admit that he won the fight.
Fans were left even more unhappy at an exchange between the Gypsy King and promoter Frank Warren moments before the decision was revealed.
Many social media users appeared to believe that Warren told Fury: “Don’t worry, you’ve got this.”
Fury was then alleged to have replied: “Of course.”

Ngannou on boxing going forward
I feel great, I feel fantastic, I’m very happy.
It didn’t go my way. I want to thank … the kingdom of Saudi Arabia for giving me this opportunity to prove people wrong one more time again.
I’m just a fighter and I’m ready to fight any time soon. We can run it back again and I’m sure I’m going to get better.
This was my first boxing match. Great experience. I’m not giving any excuse. I know I came up short but I’m going to go back and work harder.
With a little more experience next time, a little more feeling of the game, and come back even stronger. Because, at first, I was a little nervous.
This new sport that I never did, that I don’t really feel it, now I know I can do this s***. Now, baby, get ready. A wolf is in the house. I’m going to bite some s***.Francis Ngannou
Rematch?
In a word? No.
Tyson Fury reiterates that there is no rematch clause in the contract, and instead turns his attention to Oleksandr Usyk.
He said: “No rematch clause. I would like to do it again down the line but we got Usyk to deal with.
“That’s what next for us.”
Ngannou worried Warren
Frank Warren has admitted that he expected Francis Ngannou to be better than many gave him credit for,
He said: “Ngannou was much better than people expected him to be. He can box.
“As soon as he shaped up I thought ‘f***ing hell this kid can box’.
“People were talking like Ngannou was some sort of nerd, f***ing computer nerd, fighting in a joke fight. 
Paul’s reaction to knockdown
Jake Paul could not contain himself after seeing Tyson Fury knocked down by Francis Ngannou.
Reacting to the event live, the Problem Child said: “Are you f***ing serious? Are you f***ing serious? Oh my God!
“He’s got to go crazy on him.”

Usyk fight delayed
Tyson Fury’s £150million December 23 undisputed decider with Oleksandr is OFF and could be delayed until as late as FEBRUARY.
Fury promoter Frank Warren confirmed that his Halloween howler has now probably nudged the four-belt showdown well past Crimbo and toward a bloody Valentine’s date.
The hall-of-fame Queensberry promoter said: “It is too soon to talk about what Tyson does right now but the Usyk fight is signed.
“It will go ahead but it will not be on the 23rd. It was crazy for some people to suggest that it could still go ahead on the 23rd.
“He needs a break with his family, he needs to switch off and we will announce the date when we are ready. But the fight is signed. The fight will happen.
“It will happen early in the new year, late January or February. It will be up to Tyson, it is his body.
What Fury said
Tyson Fury said in the ring his narrow victory “wasn’t in the script”.
Fury said: “That definitely wasn’t in the script. He’s a lot better of a boxer than we thought he’d be.
“He’s a very awkward man, and he’s a good puncher, and I respect him a lot.
“He was very awkward, he wasn’t coming forward; he was waiting for me to throw my punches then looking to counter.”
Credit: Getty
Ngannou told to use Superman punch
Mike Tyson admitted that he told Francis Ngannou to use his Superman punch against Tyson Fury.
Although he did admit that he did not teach him how to do it.
Credit: instagram
Punch stats

Woods on Ngannou
Laura Woods took to social media to praise Francis Ngannou following his controversial defeat to Tyson Fury.
She wrote: “Could have/ should have gone down as one of the biggest shocks in history.
“What a wonderful, gracious man.”

Uysk reaction
Oleksandr Usyk looked stunned when Tyson Fury was knocked down by Francis Ngannou.
The Ukrainian’s reaction was captured by cameras as he watched his rival be stunned by the MMA star.
Credit: TNT SPORT
Hearn on Fury result
Eddie Hearn slammed Tyson Fury’s performance against Francis Ngannou and claimed that he should have lost the fight.
Hearn told media: “Ngannou had never boxed before, and fair play to him.
“I mean, I don’t think he was overly impressive, but Fury looked like he had never laced up boxing gloves before.
“Ngannou won that fight by two rounds.”
Credit: Getty
Lewis backs Fury win
Lennox Lewis believed that Tyson Fury was rightly given the win after his clash with Francis Ngannou.
He told TNT Sport: “I thought Tyson Fury won. He was throwing a lot of punches.
“He was getting that jab going, Francis Ngannou really surprised me – he showed really good poise, patience. 
“You could tell that he was waiting for that perfect opportunity and he threw a punch when Tyson Fury was off balance.
“The fundamentals weren’t there from him, he wasn’t 100 per cent.
“This was like a warm up fight to the big fight for me.”
Credit: Reuters More

TYSON FURY is facing UFC legend Francis Ngannou in a historic crossover fight in Saudi Arabia – and he has been KNOCKED DOWN!But the big main event has started later than planned after epic opening ceremony. A win for Ngannou would be among the sport’s greatest shocks while Fury would suffer a disastrous defeat.
And Oleksandr Usyk is waiting in the wings ringside with their mega undisputed heavyweight title bout set to be confirmed tonight for December 23.

BETTING SPECIAL – GET FURY TO WIN AT HUGE 30/1
Follow ALL of the latest updates below…
Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou (Round 6)
Francis Ngannou is just so physically strong. He’s absorbed everything Tyson’s thrown at him. Fury needs to raise the tempo and test his challenger’s fitness.
Another right hand from Fury that just bounces off Ngannou. The former UFC champion is still throwing, but there’s a noticeable drop off in intensity.
Ngannou has done so much in those opening rounds, will they be enough to see him to victory?
Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou (Round 5)
Tyson Fury has regained his composure, and he’s boxing from range. Occasionally dipping in to land a stiff jab – but he can’t get Francis Ngannou to come forward. The MMA superstar is staying compact.
Snap! Great combination from Fury, who delivers his best moment of the fight. Much cleaner work but it’s still a monster task from here.
Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou (Round 4)
Francis Ngannou is working well behind his jab. He’s patient, he’s accurate and he’s roughing Tyson Fury up!
Fury does look to have his legs back and he’s landed a few decent blows – but Ngannou is unmoved and steadfast. Carl Frampton has Ngannou winning all four rounds so far, and it’s hard to disagree.
Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou (Round 3)
DOWN GOES FURY!
You are kidding me?! Francis Ngannou drops Tyson Fury to the deck with a left hook to the temple from the Gods! Fury rolls off the canvas and back to his feet fairly swiftly and blows his cheeks. He looks rattled.
Fury survives to the end of the round, but how will he respond to that?
Oh, I forgot to mention – Ngannou laughed and danced in Fury’s face while he was on the deck.
Credit: GETTY
Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou (Round 2)
Has Francis Ngannou read the script? Everyone was expecting the former UFC champion to come out swinging wildly, but he’s not taking the bait. He’s keeping his range and not getting involved in a scrap.
There’s also blood coming from above the left eye of Fury! Ngannou either got him with a swinging left hook or there was a clash of heads. It’s tough to see.
He switches to southpaw, which has to be a sign of respect for his opponent.
Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou (Round 1)
No time wasted! Tyson Fury is straight out and lands with a stiff jab. Francis Ngannou takes it well and goes on the front foot.
Fury gets angry when Ngannou doesn’t release from the clinch, and is given a swift ticking off from the referee.
Ngannou flicks out a double jab and lands a shot to Fury’s body. It’s actually been a very impressive start from the MMA star, who’s showing good patience, composure and is picking his shots.
One or two words exchanged when the bell rings. Impressive.
We’ve made it
Ok folks, the fighters are in the ring, the robes and crowns are off and Michael Buffer is doing the introductions. We’re just moments away from discovering who is the baddest man on the planet.
We’re underway.
Not so fast
Don’t you dare think this is going to start now. I’m starting to think this could be the most expensive and sophisticated prank ever played on a global audience.
The Saudi Arabian, English and Cameroon national anthems are about to begin.
Hello Tyson
It’s very clear who the fans inside the arena are supporting. The volume turns up six notches when the Gypsy King strolls out to Jolene by Dolly Parton.
Again, Fury is on the throne in a gold robe with a crown as flames shoot up from the floor. He shadow boxes on his way to the ring as the song switches to Pretty Woman by Roy Orbison.
I feel like I’m describing a dream I had.
Hello Francis
“Ladies and gentlemen, who will be the baddest man on the planet? Let’s get this paaaaarty started,” announces the legendary Michael Buffer from the middle of the ring.
Started From the Bottom by Drake blares from the sound system as Francis Ngannou emerges on stage.
He’s sat on a throne, adorned in a gold robe with a crown on. Mike Tyson stood beside him in a suit. Iron Mike follows him down the ramp giving advice until the very last moment.
I’m no entrance expert, but that was clunky to say the least.

Sweet Caroline…
That MUST mean we’re close.
TNT Sports are showing pictures of Tyson Fury being dressed up in some kind of robe, and a crown placed on his head. Steve Bunce thinks the “Gypsy King” is looking pensive. I agree.
Oleksandr Usyk isn’t looking pensive. He’s belting out Sweet Caroline at the top of his lungs.
Education
Is this an educational trip for Oleksandr Usyk?
The WBA, WBO and IBF champion is scheduled to fight Tyson Fury at this location on December 23 to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis.
But with the best will in the world, he’s probably not going to learn a lot when Fury is fighting a boxing novice.
He’s still doing Usyk things though.

The ring has risen
The ring actually rose from under the ground in the opening ceremony.
And it is now in place and looking ready to go!
SunSport has the latest from inside the arena.
Watch Fury vs Ngannou ring rise from the ground ahead of spectacular Battle of the Baddest
Atmosphere
The arena is slowly but surely recovering from the energy-sapping ‘opening ceremony’, and Freed From Desire by Gala Rizzatto is doing most of the heavy lifting.
It does look a sell-out.
Open workouts
Well it’s been a nightmare trying to decipher anything from Francis Ngannou’s open workout. All answers are basically wrong.
There wasn’t too much in the way of footwork, while his head movement and speed were also noticeably slow. Then again, many have said he’s conserving energy.
He was breathing quite heavily after unleashing a few rockets. Then again, many have said that he’s making himself look worse on purpose.
Glad to have answered no questions there.
Credit: GETTY
Boos?
Well that’s perked me up.
TNT Sports were hailing the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo and the fans inside the arena all booed on mass.
Quite surprising given he plays for Al-Nassr, who are based in the city of Riyadh. Must be a lot of Al-Hilal ultras in there tonight.
Eminem and Oleksandr Usyk got huge cheers by the way.
Here IT comes
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome… the boxing ring!
The stage just moved backwards, and the ring has emerged from underground. That was cool, if not a little cute.
Undercard – done. Entertainment – done. The main event is upon us, folks. I promise.
3 reasons why
Francis Ngannou has delivered three reasons why he’s going to win tonight.

I’m stronger
I’m more hungry
I’m dedicated

That didn’t work at my last job interview, and I’m not convinced it’s going to work tonight, mate. Love the confidence though.
Performances are still ongoing. Just going to let the dog out, back in five…
Mike’s thoughts
Ok, let’s get back to fighting.
As we know, Mike Tyson is Francis Ngannou’s mentor for this contest, but he really does fancy his fighter to pull off an upset.
Why? Well because the former UFC champion punched an opponent so hard in training that he broke his leg. You read that right.
“At first when this came to me, I said ‘there’s no way this is going to happen’,” Tyson said.
“Then I watched him spar and he hit this guy and he broke his leg when he went down — and I said ‘man, there is a possibility something good could happen here’.
“I have never seen anything like that before. If he could do that man, he could possibly be heavyweight champion of the world.”
Credit: getty
Still going…
The entertainment is still going. It’s approaching 1am in Riyadh.
Try pulling this on the regulars at York Hall, you’d have a riot on your hands.
The ceremony begins
Turki al-Sheikh delivers a quick pre-recorded speech, and the music starts with a very impressive lights show.
Who is performing? No, seriously, who is this?
I’m reliably informed it’s Flowdan, and Wikipedia tells me he’s an English grime MC and record producer from Bow and Poplar, East London.
He’s swiftly followed by Lil Baby. I’m not even going to search for him.
Selfie
Massive congratulations are in order. The greatest of all time has managed to get himself a picture with Cristiano Ronaldo.
That’ll be framed and on the mantel piece shortly.

Sheikh-en, not stirred
What’s the state of play? Well, we’re waiting. Patiently.
It looks as though the arena has filled up and everything’s ready to go for the super secret opening ceremony to kick-start Riyadh Season.
But… we can’t start the event until Turki al-Sheikh takes his seat, and he’s nowhere to be seen.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s prediction
That’s admittedly a misleading headline, he really doesn’t have one.
Asked who he thinks will win, he smiles and says: “They are both my friends, let’s see.”
Never broke stride while not answering the question. A true professional.
It’s showtime!
No, not that show. Riyadh Season will officially begin with an opening ceremony in a few moments.
Reports suggest it’s been arranged by the same producers who do the Olympic Games ceremonies and Super Bowl half-time shows.
Expectations are high, then again, my favourite band are The Kinks and I have my doubts Ray Davies will be strolling out on stage. More