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      Francis Ngannou warned he ‘will not survive in boxing ring’ as UFC legend is linked with huge Tyson Fury fight

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      FRANCIS NGANNOU should forget about fighting Tyson Fury in a boxing ring, says former world champion Tony Bellew.Ngannou, 36, won the UFC heavyweight championship by defeating Stipe Miocic in March 2021.
      Francis Ngannou held the UFC heavyweight title for nearly two yearsCredit: Getty
      Tyson Fury is widely considered to be the best heavyweight in the worldCredit: Getty
      Ever since, he has been heavily linked with a crossover bout against boxing’s heavyweight king – WBC champion Fury, 34.
      Now the prospect of a clash with The Gypsy King has gained even more traction following confirmation of Ngannou’s departure from the UFC last week.
      It comes after Ngannou sat ringside for Fury’s win over Derek Chisora last month.
      He then called for a bout with Fury, saying: “I don’t really care about what [it] would be. I just think it’ll be a fight against Tyson Fury.
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      “It can be in a phone booth or wherever [but] that fight will happen, or (even) in the rooftop – that fight will happen.
      “Obviously, he will not compete in MMA. That’s not something that could happen. He would get killed.”
      Crossover bouts have taken place in the past – most notably when Conor McGregor fought Floyd Mayweather and lost by 10th round stoppage.
      But former boxing world champion Bellew, 40, believes stepping into the ring with Fury would be bad news for Ngannou.
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      Combat sports journalist Ariel Helwani tweeted a poll asking fans whether they would like to see Fury vs Ngannou in Bellator, PFL, boxing or BKFC.
      When boxing claimed the most votes, Bellew then replied: “Terrible shame! He will not survive in a boxing ring against anyone of any note.
      “He’s the best MMA heavyweight in the world right now and he needs to stay within his discipline..🤞.”
      Fury has not lost in 34 professional contests, a run which stretches back to his debut in 2008.
      The only blemish on the Brit’s record came in a controversial draw with Deontay Wilder in 2018 – with Fury subsequently going on to stop the American in their following two fights.
      Ngannou has a professional MMA record of 17 wins and three defeats but has not lost since 2018.
      He has never had a pro boxing bout.
      When asked in April 2022 about a possible clash with Ngannou, Fury told BT Sport: “Definitely sometime next year. 2023. That fight will happen!
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      “Because by the end of the year, to know exactly [where I stand], we’re going to sort it and get settled and ready to go.”
      He then added: “Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou in Africa, that would be the best one. The Rumble in the Jungle 2!”
      Tony Bellew won the WBC cruiserweight title in 2016Credit: Getty More

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      Tyson Fury tipped to fight Francis Ngannou for ‘go f*** yourself money’ after leaving UFC over contract row

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      UFC middleweight contender Sean Strickland wants to see his team-mate and now free agent Francis Ngannou enjoy “go f*** yourself money” by fighting Tyson Fury.President Dana White revealed the Cameroonian-French fighter had been released from the UFC after failing to agree new terms on his deal.
      Ngannou with Fury in-ring last year teasing a fightCredit: BT SPORTS
      Strickland is sad to see his team-mate leave the UFC but tells him to fight FuryCredit: Getty
      White claimed the contract offered would have made Ngannou the “highest-paid heavyweight” in the history of UFC.
      But the two parties have failed to strike a deal after long-running talks, leaving Ngannou as a free agent and the heavyweight belt has been vacated.
      A crossover to boxing had been teased earlier last year when Ngannou appeared in the ring following Fury’s WBC title win over Dillian Whyte.
      Ngannou responded to a Fury social media callout last year: “I’m coming for all the smoke 💨💨💨. 2023.”
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      And now that Ngannou is a free agent, he can take on Fury “for all the smoke”.
      Team-mate Strickland is sad to see Ngannou leave the UFC, but says the heavyweight should enjoy “go f*** yourself money” by fighting Fury.
      Strickland told reporters following his win over Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Fight Night 217 on Saturday: “I think it’s a damn shame to see Francis go.
      “He’s iconic in the UFC. He’s probably one of the greatest heavyweights we’ve ever had.
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      “It sucks he parted ways, but I hope that him and Tyson Fury fight for a lot of f*cking money. That’s a fight we deserve.
      “Again, it sucks he left. I’d love to see him fight in the UFC.
      “If the ‘Gypsy King’ sacks up and takes that fight against Francis, I mean, that’s ‘go f*ck yourself’ money.
      “That’s ‘I can go pee in a golden toilet seat. I can do whatever the f*** I want.’
      “It sucks he leaves, but if he can get that big money with Tyson, hat’s off to you Francis. Enjoy your ‘go f*** yourself money.’” More

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      Jake Paul accused of performing ‘smoke and mirrors act’ with two-fight boxing and MMA offer to Nate Diaz

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      JAKE PAUL has been accused of performing a “smoke and mirrors” act with his recent offer to Nate Diaz.The Problem Child challenged the former UFC star to a two-fight series – one in boxing and the other in MMA – after announcing his multi-year deal with the Professional Fighters League.
      Jake Paul recently revealed he’d inked a deal with the PFLCredit: JAKE PAUL
      The Problem Child immediately called out Nate DiazCredit: GETTY
      Paul’s pursuit of Diaz has been slammed by ex-UFC champ Michael BispingCredit: GETTY
      Paul’s willingness to fight Diaz in the cage impressed many, but not former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping – who reckons the YouTuber is trying to dodge a legitimate fight in the boxing world.
      During a recent episode of his Believe You Me podcast, The Count said: ” “Now, Nate Diaz, he’s a decent boxer, he’s as tough as they come, he’s got great jiu-jitsu, but he’s not known for being the best wrestler.
      “So maybe, could he take Jake Paul down? Is Nate Diaz at the end of his career?
      “This is all smoke and mirrors.
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      “This is all just Jake Paul trying to navigate the waters of how he can continue to make money.
      “He can’t do it in boxing because in boxing if he’s going to have a big boxing fight, it has to be against a real boxer and a real boxer would more than likely beat him, which is not what they want.
      “He can’t continue calling up former UFC legends that are retired because that’s not doing it any more either.”
      Paul has got a perfect 6-0 thanks to consecutive wins over former UFC welterweight and middleweight champions Tyron Woodley and Anderson Silva.
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      But the ex-Disney star had a marked size advantage over the pair and former Bellator champ Ben Askren, which Bisping believes he’s trying to utilise against Diaz.
      He added: “The point I’m making is he’s never fought a boxer.
      “But even still, these former UFC legends, they’re not pulling in the pay-per-view numbers.
      “So now he’s going to have to fight mixed martial arts, which on paper makes it sound like Jake Paul is doing the right thing.
      “He’s being courageous, he’s willing to switch sports.
      Nate Diaz signed off from the UFC with a submission win over Tony FergusonCredit: GETTY
      “But he’s not. It’s going to be hand-picked opponents.
      “Nate Diaz in a boxing match first that’ll be co-promoted by the PFL.
      “And then mixed martial arts, again, yeah Nate Diaz is the better mixed martial artist for sure, but size is a real thing.”
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      Diaz seemingly poured cold water on the prospect of facing Paul in the PFL by tweeting the logo for Japanese MMA promotion RIZIN hours after the call out.
      Fan favourite Diaz is currently a free agent after seeing out his UFC contract with a fourth-round submission victory over Tony Ferguson last September More

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      Jake Paul offers ex-UFC star Nate Diaz two-fight deal including boxing and MMA bouts after signing for promotion PFL

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      JAKE PAUL has offered to fight Nate Diaz in both boxing and MMA after signing for the Professional Fighters League. The YouTuber-turned prizefighter announced he has penned a deal with MMA promotion PFL and plans to debut in the cage.
      Jake Paul has offered to fight Nate Diaz in both boxing and MMA
      Nate Diaz was at Jake Paul’s last fightCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      So he is willing to face Diaz, who last year left the UFC, as part of a two-bout deal in both sports.
      Paul said on his YouTube channel: “I’ve already disrupted boxing and now it’s time to disrupt MMA.
      “I know this is such a tough sport and it’s not going to be easy but if I can do it in boxing, I can do it in MMA.
      “I’m so dedicated to this I offered Nate Diaz a two-fight deal; first we box, then six months later we fight MMA in the PFL SmartCage and lay it all on the line.
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      “If that’s not balls then I don’t know what is. Nate Diaz, I’m down to fight you in your own damn sport. It’s a two-fight, let’s make it happen.”
      The PFL is MMA’s only league format and consists of a Regular Season and Playoff.
      Stars in each weight have two qualifying bouts with the top four progressing to the knockout stages.
      It culminates in a championship finale where a $1million cheque and title belt is on the line.
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      Paul, 25, has signed to fight in MMA and also founded the PFL’s “super-fight pay-per-view division” in which he will also compete in.
      Diaz, 37, meanwhile is a free agent having ran out his contract with the UFC, last beating Tony Ferguson, 38, in September.
      He was ringside in October at Paul’s last fight, to watch the American beat UFC legend Anderson Silva, 47, on points.
      The social media sensation is set to return in February but is still without a named opponent for his seventh boxing bout.
      Jake Paul beat UFC legend Anderson SilvaCredit: REX More

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      Manny Pacquiao, 44, announces boxing return with MMA promotion Rizin and teases next fight against ex-UFC star

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      MANNY PACQUIAO announced he will return to boxing with MMA promotion Rizin and teased his next fight against an ex-UFC star. The Filipino icon officially retired after defeat to Cuban Yordenis Ugas in August 2021.
      Manny Pacquiao announced he will return to boxing with RizinCredit: AFP
      But following a failed presidential election in the Philippines, Pacquaio talked up a boxing comeback and fought again in December.
      He beat South Korean YouTuber DK Yoo in an exhibition bout and has now signed up to fight again with Japanese MMA promotion Rizin.
      Pacquiao, 43, said: “There’s great action, there’s great fights in Rizin, and the atmosphere of the crowd is amazing.”
      The eight-division champion also confirmed that his contract is for a boxing bout and not kickboxing or MMA.
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      Floyd Mayweather, 45, has twice fought under Rizin, knocking out Tenshin Nasukawa, 24, and Mikuru Asakura, 30.
      Pacquiao was ringside in September to watch as Mayweather beat Asakura in two rounds, which sparked talk of a rematch.
      But Mayweather ruled out a second fight with his great rival, who he initially beat on points in 2015.
      The American legend has had five exhibition bouts himself since retiring as a professional in 2017 after beating ex-UFC champ Conor McGregor, 34.
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      Mayweather has faced kickboxers, MMA stars, YouTubers and even an ex-sparring partner.
      And after Pacquaio eased past DK Yoo, he looks set to also take on competition from the world of MMA in the boxing ring.
      Pacquiao added: “It’s good to have an exhibition fight last December 11, and I’m excited and so happy.
      “My opponent is martial art, who doesn’t know about boxing, so that’s why he experienced a hard time in the ring.
      “But this next exhibition match here in Japan, this is different because I think probably my opponent is a professional UFC, MMA fighter, so he knows how to punch and of course to cover.”
      DK Yoo after his exhibition with Manny PacquiaoCredit: AP More

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      Jake Paul called out by Mike Perry as ex-UFC star signs fight contract but says YouTuber ‘changed his mind’

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      BARE-KNUCKLE boxer Mike Perry has revealed he signed a contract to fight Jake Paul until the YouTube star “changed his mind”. Paul is set to return in February and announced he sent offers out to three different opponents.
      Jake Paul is set to make his boxing return in FebruaryCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Mike Perry claimed he signed a contract to fight Jake PaulCredit: Rex

      It appears ex-UFC welterweight and current Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship boxer Perry was one of them.
      He tweeted: “I signed a contract to fight @jakepaul but he changed his mind.”
      Perry, 31, then posted what he claimed was a contract to fight Paul, 25, and featured his signature.
      Paul most recently beat UFC legend Anderson Silva, 47, in October, the biggest win in his 6-0 career.
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      And he is already back in training for his seventh professional bout as talks with celebrity boxing rival Tommy Fury, 23, continue.
      The two have twice signed to fight but Fury pulled out both times, firstly after a rib injury last December and then amid a US visa issue in August.
      His travel woes still persist today but promoter Frank Warren revealed negotiations between the two camps are ongoing.
      Warren told iFL TV: “Both sides are really eager to making it happen and I don’t think we’re far off getting it on.
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      “I think we’re quite close to making it happen.”
      Paul was ringside in November to watch Fury’s last bout, an exhibition against Rolly Lambert.
      It went the six round distance and afterwards the pair clashed at ringside as tempers threatened to boil over.
      Tommy Fury and Jake Paul are still in talks to fightCredit: BT Sport More

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      Jake Paul admits he is ‘tired of beating these old dudes’ after being called out by Conor McGregor’s ex-opponent

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      JAKE PAUL admitted he is “tired of beating these old dudes” after being called out by Donald Cerrone. The YouTuber-turned prizefighter is 6-0 in his boxing career, most recently beating UFC legend Anderson Silva, 47.
      Jake Paul after beating Anderson SilvaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Conor McGregor fought Donald Cerrone in 2020Credit: Reuters
      That came after a pair of wins over former UFC champion Tyron Woodley, 40, and retired welterweight Ben Askren, 38.
      So Paul, 25, has no interest in facing “Cowboy” Cerrone, 39, who retired from the UFC last year.
      He told The Schmo: “I mean I don’t know, I’m kind of tired of beating these old dudes up like that.
      “You know what I’m saying? So, I’m just trying to get someone in there who is younger.
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      “But they’re all scared, honestly. They’re just trying to protect their records.”
      Paul has already confirmed he is set to return in February, following his points win over eight rounds against Silva.
      And 8-0 Tommy Fury, 23, remains a possible opponent with the pair of celebrity boxing rivals still in talks to fight.
      Twice Fury has been forced to pull out of the grudge match before, due to a rib injury and US visa issue, but negotiations to once again reschedule are ongoing.
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      Meanwhile Cerrone, who lost to Conor McGregor, 34, in 2020, has thrown his name into the hat to fight Paul.
      He said on the Thiccc Boy Studios: “Would I like to fight him? How could I say no to millions of dollars?
      “I would definitely go out there and do it, but I’m not sitting here saying, ‘Jake you’re a YouTuber, you’re not worth a f***, blah blah blah.’ No, man.
      “You’re making money and if you want to throw some money my way, I’m with you. The Jake Paul phenomenon is kind of crazy, it’s got everyone calling him out.
      “It’s kind of like the big Conor push. I feel like that’s happening with Jake Paul. Everyone wants in, and I don’t see why they wouldn’t, that’s a big money fight.
      “You can’t take it away from him. Everyone is saying those are rigged fights, and I think he’s hitting hard.
      “I really do think those are legitimate shots and strikes, and he’s been practicing boxing, and he’s whipping their asses.
      “I don’t think there’s any missed hype, I think he’s got something going.”
      Conor McGregor knocked out Donald Cerrone in 40 secondsCredit: Reuters More

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      Conor McGregor’s old foe Donald Cerrone reveals he’d ‘like to fight’ Jake Paul and compares YouTuber to UFC star

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      UFC legend Donald Cerrone has revealed he’d “like to” box Jake Paul.YouTuber turned boxer Paul has made quite the splash in the combat sports world since making his professional debut in January 2020.
      Jake Paul has made quite the splash in the boxing worldCredit: AFP
      Paul has fought three former UFC champions in his pro careerCredit: SHOWTIME
      UFC great Donald Cerrone has revealed he’d like to face The Problem ChildCredit: Getty
      Paul, 25, has picked up wins over former UFC champs Tyron Woodley and Anderson Silva during his 6-0 career.
      And former lightweight title challenger Cerrone would be open to being the fourth MMA fighter to take on The Problem Child.
      During an appearance on the Thicc Boy FightClub Podcast, the retired Cowboy said: “Would I like to fight him? F***, of course.
      “How could I say no to f***ing millions of dollars. So I would definitely go out there and do it.”
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      Cerrone, however, won’t verbally bash Paul to try to land a multi-million-pound showdown.
      He continued: “But I’m not sitting over here and saying, ‘Jake, you’re a f***ing YouTuber, ain’t worth a f**k.’
      “Nah, man. You’re making money. Make the f***ing money. And if you want to throw some of that money my way, I’m with you.”
      Paul’s rise to prominence in the combat world has been rapid, to say the least.
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      And fan favourite Cerrone has likened it to that of his former foe Conor McGregor.
      He said: “The Jake Paul phenomenon is kind of crazy, it’s gotten everybody calling him out and it’s kind of like the big Conor [McGregor] push [from early in McGregor’s career].
      “That’s what I feel like is happening with Jake Paul.
      “Everyone is wanting to fight him, and I don’t see why they wouldn’t because that’s a big money fight.
      “But you can’t take away [his wins].
      “Like everyone is saying those are like rigged fights — I think he’s hitting hard. You know what I mean?
      “I really do think those are legitimate shots and strikes, and he’s been practicing boxing and [the results] are showing he’s whooping their asses.
      “So I don’t think there’s any mis-hype. I think he’s got something going on there.”
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      Paul hasn’t set foot inside the ring since his decision victory over Silva in October but is eyeing a return to the ring early next year.
      The former Disney star hopes to fight three times next year, in which he hopes to face rival Tommy Fury.
      Jake Paul is planning to return to the ring early next yearCredit: REUTERS More