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    Amir Khan backs Tommy Fury to beat Jake Paul on points and says Brit would have ‘taken’ shot that KO’d Tyron Woodley

    AMIR KHAN backed Tommy Fury to beat Jake Paul on points and claimed he would have ‘taken’ the shot that knocked out Tyron Woodley. Fury was left gutted in December when he pulled out of fighting Paul with a broken rib and bacterial chest infection.
    Jake Paul knocked out Tyron Woodley in their rematchCredit: AP
    Tommy Fury pulled out of fighting Jake PaulCredit: Getty
    Woodley, only beaten by the YouTuber via split-decision four months earlier, agreed to step in on less than two week’s notice.
    But it ended in disaster for the ex-UFC champion, who was brutally knocked out in round six.
    Still, former unified world champion Khan tipped 22-year-old Fury to beat Paul and withstand the American’s power.
    He told Pro Boxing Fans: “Tyron obviously got caught with a good shot, which can happen in boxing.
    “He is not really a boxer, he is an MMA fighter. You know, as MMA fighter, they don’t really punch hard.
    “It’s more about the takedowns and everything else. I think he was just caught with a good shot, really.”
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    Khan, 35, added: “Well, I think Tommy would have taken that shot and given a lot more back, or maybe would have hit him with some shot.
    “I mean, look, in boxing, anything can happen. Just feel that Tommy would outpoint him.”
    Fury’s withdrawal means Paul, 25, is yet to face an opponent with prior professional boxing experience.
    But his rematch against Woodley, 39, means he has knocked out every opponent he has faced in the ring.
    He added to KO’s over online rival ‘AnEsonGib’, ex-NBA star Nate Robinson, 37, and retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, 39.
    Meanwhile, Khan is set to finally fight long-time rival Kell Brook, 35, in Manchester on February 19.
    Amir Khan and Kell Brook ahead of their February 19 fightCredit: PA More

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    Tyson Fury’s promotional team open door to ‘no-brainer’ Las Vegas crossover fight with UFC champion Francis Ngannou

    TYSON FURY’S promotional team has opened the door to a ‘no-brainer’ Las Vegas crossover fight with UFC champion Francis Ngannou. The boxing and the UFC heavyweight champions have steadily built an online feud together.
    Tyson Fury’s promotional team opened the door to a crossover fight with Francis NgannouCredit: Getty
    UFC champion Ngannou has traded blows with Fury onlineCredit: Getty
    Ngannou most recently retained his belt against Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 on points.
    Meanwhile Fury – who called out the Cameroonian afterwards – is set to face WBC mandatory challenger Dillian Whyte, 33.
    But president of Fury’s Top Rank promotion Todd DuBoef said if the rivals continue to win, a clash of the combat sports in the fight capital of the world remains on the cards.
    DuBoef told MMA Fighting: “I think it does fantastic in Vegas.
    “And the reason why I say that is because, looking from a perspective of pay-per-view.
    “I think there would be a very, very big appetite on US pay-per-view for that fight, and what we’ve seen with Fury coming from the UK.
    “The UK audience is used to staying up late and paying for the pay-per-view.”
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    He added: “I’m just responding to somebody saying, ‘Hey, what do you think of this?’
    “Honestly, I think it’s a very compelling product for the consumer, and I think it could work very easily. That’s what I think, if you ask my opinion.
    “To have the biggest, baddest man of MMA and the biggest, baddest man of boxing meet in the ring is a no-brainer.
    “There’s not much hype you have to do there.”
    UFC stars are prohibited from competing outside of the promotion, unless given special permission.
    Conor McGregor, 33, was in 2017 allowed to fight Floyd Mayweather, 44, but it has so far proven a one-off.
    To have the biggest, baddest man of MMA and the biggest, baddest man of boxing meet in the ring is a no-brainer. Top Rank president Todd DuBoef 
    Ngannou has recently been at odds with the UFC after calling for a pay rise and stipulation in his contract that would allow him to also pursue boxing.
    After beating Gane, 31, his current UFC deal expired but there are still hopes a contract extension can be agreed.
    DuBoef revealed the super-fight would need both Fury, 33, and Ngannou, 35, to push for it opposed to Top Rank and the UFC.
    He said: “How much does Fury want it? How much does Ngannou want it?
    “We know that Mayweather and McGregor really wanted it, and they were the driving force behind getting that done.
    “At the end of the day, it may be the athletes that drive their respective partners to push that.”
    Floyd Mayweather beat UFC star Conor McGregor in 2017Credit: USA Today Sports More

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    Tyron Woodley’s coach says ex-UFC star refusing to let Jake Paul KO keep him down and eyes boxing fight on return

    TYRON WOODLEY is refusing to let his knockout loss to Jake Paul keep him down – and could return to boxing in his next fight. Woodley in August faced Paul over eight rounds, losing by split-decision.
    Tyron Woodley was knocked out by Jake Paul in their rematchCredit: AFP
    But he got a shot at redemption with a late-notice rematch last month after Tommy Fury, 22, pulled out of fighting YouTube star Paul, 24, through injury.
    Unfortunately for Woodley, it resulted in a brutal KO defeat and left him as the brunt of harsh online trolling.
    But boxing coach Gerald Tucker, who cornered both the fights with Paul, insisted the ex-UFC champion has dealt with and overcome far worse.
    Tucker told SunSport: “He’s from Ferguson, Missouri, it’s a tough spot, urban and equivalent to where I grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio. 
    “We have something in us from birth which won’t let us stay down for too long or worry about something negative that happened in our past.” 
    Woodley, 39, left the UFC following four consecutive losses and pursued boxing as a new venture.
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    Having headlined back-to-back pay-per-views with Paul, his options are as wide as ever, in both the ring or cage.
    But talented trainer Tucker – who also coaches Floyd Mayweather and Adrien Broner – believes Woodley will make his return under boxing rules.
    He said: “He’s not done with boxing for sure. Me and Tyron talking about everything.
    “I don’t think a day goes by without me and Tyron talking. I think he’s going to try go in there late spring.”
    Boxing coach Gerald Tucker and Tyron WoodleyCredit: Instagram @gt_the_great_ More

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    Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder made £37m for trilogy fight – 25 times more than all 22 UFC 270 fighters COMBINED

    TYSON FURY and Deontay Wilder’s combined purses for their trilogy fight was a staggering 25 TIMES more than the total salaries for fighters competing at UFC 270.The issue of fighter pay in the UFC has always been a prominent one but has really come to the fore over the last six months.
    Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder landed a total of £37million for their trilogy matchCredit: POLARIS
    But UFC stars Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane only took home £846, 447 for their UFC 270 clashCredit: ALAMY
    Fury and Wilder made 25 times more than all the fighters competing on UFC 270 combinedCredit: CSAC
    And it became even more of a talking point last weekend after the California State Athletic Commission released the purses for the combatants on the UFC 270 card.
    Excluding bonuses, the 22 fighters on the card took home a combined purse of £1,368,718 ($1,844,000).
    The lion’s share of that figure went to defending heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou and opponent Ciryl Gane, who took home £445,335 ($600,000) and £371,112 ($500,000) respectively.
    Five fighters on the card – who were debutants – received only £7,421 ($10,000) for the respective fights.
    The total payout for the UFC card isn’t a drop in the ocean in comparison to what Fury and Wilder pocketed for the epic trilogy fight last October.
    The pair took home a combined £37m ($50m) for their final Sin City showdown – a staggering 25 times more than the total UFC 270 payout.
    @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}LATEST IN SUN BINGO AND VEGAS.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
    Ngannou’s overall purse will be topped up by his cut of pay-per-view sales, but the disclosed salaries for the UFC’s first numbered card of the year shows there’s still a huge disparity between boxing and MMA payouts.
    YouTuber turned boxer Jake Paul has been shining a light on the matter over the last six months.
    And the former Disney star has recently acquired shares in the UFC’s parent company – Endeavour – in a bid to change the promotion’s pay structure.
    Early on Tuesday morning, he tweeted: “I’ve invested in EDR (UFC) stock with my partner @geoffreywoo 2 focus on UFCs ESG standards relating to fighters.
    “We believe EDR can drive long-term economic value by increasing UFC fighter pay & providing them healthcare.
    “Reaching out to @EngineNo_1 to partner on this ‘Endeavour.'”
    Ahead of his maiden title defence, heavyweight king Ngannou insisted he would no longer fight for the purses being offered to him.
    The Predator wants to stay in the UFC but would like his contract to be amended so he’s paid more and can have the freedom to box.
    Francis Ngannou wants a new contract with the UFCCredit: REUTERS
    He said: “The term of the contract, everything that they put into [it], they hold you like in captivity.
    “You can’t do anything, you have no rights. The contract is one-sided.
    “You don’t even have health insurance while you’re doing this, putting your body on the line to put on the show. Risking everything.”
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    Francis Ngannou claims UFC threatened to sue his agent over ‘talks with Jake Paul’s team about boxing match’

    THE UFC have threatened to SUE the agent of heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou for alleged talks with Jake Paul’s manager.Ngannou, 34, flirted heavily with the prospect of a switch to boxing before his successful UFC 270 title defence against former team-mate Ciryl Gane last weekend.
    Francis Ngannou retained his heavyweight title last weekend at UFC 270Credit: Getty
    The Predator defeated former team-mate Ciryl Gane via unanimous decisionCredit: AFP
    But the UFC have threatened to sue their heavyweight king for alleged talks with Jake Paul’s manager Nakisa Bidarian, seen here in blackCredit: AFP
    But hours before the bout, the Cameroonian’s manager Marquel Martin received an email from the promotion claiming he’d held talks with Paul’s manager Nakisa Bidarian about potentially boxing under Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions banner.
    During an appearance on The MMA Hour, Ngannou revealed: “I walked into the room waiting for my manager, my coach.
    “And they were like, ‘Wow.’ I’m like, ‘What’s going on?’
    “They told me they just received an email from the UFC saying they’re going to sue [Martin] for talking with this guy, Nakisa.
    “Yeah. I’m like, ‘Who is Nakisa?'”
    Ngannou insists he has no knowledge of who Bidarian, the UFC’s former chief financial officer, is.
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    He said: “I wouldn’t recognise him if you put him in front of me.”
    Bidarian, Martin and the UFC all declined to comment when approached by ESPN.
    Heavyweight king Ngannou is set to become a free agent in December and will be able to entertain offers from interested parties.
    The Predator wants to continue his stint in the UFC but would like his contract to be amended so he’s paid more and can have the freedom to box as he’s an ‘independent contractor’.
    He said: “The term of the contract, everything that they put into [it], they hold you like in captivity.
    Ngannou wants to sign a new, improved and less limiting deal with the UFCCredit: Alamy
    “You can’t do anything, you have no rights. The contract is one-sided.
    “You don’t even have health insurance while you’re doing this, putting your body on the line to put on the show. Risking everything.”
    He later added: “You can be free and fight for the UFC. I just want to be free.
    “We are supposedly independent contractors. [An] independent contractor is technically a free person.
    “That’s the reason why they need some adjustments in that contract. That’s what I’ve been fighting for.”
    Ngannou believes his contract with the UFC is very ‘one-sided’Credit: AFP
    UFC president Dana White opted not to wrap the heavyweight title around Ngannou’s waist after the Cameroonian’s successful title defence and missed the post-fight press conference.
    And according to Ngannou, the promotion have yet to reach out to discuss the possibility of him signing a new deal.
    He said: “It doesn’t look like they want to talk to me any more.”
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    Jon Jones joins Jake Paul in blasting ‘BORING’ UFC 270 main event just days after Dana White makes U-turn on YouTuber

    JON JONES joined Jake Paul in blasting Francis Ngannou’s ‘BORING’ win over Ciryl Gane at UFC 270. Ngannou retained his heavyweight title over five rounds against interim champion Gane.
    Francis Ngannou during his win over Ciryl GaneCredit: Getty

    The winner was touted as a potential opponent to welcome back UFC legend Jones, planning to return this year.
    But the man himself was less than impressed and hinted at continuing to sit on the sidelines.
    Jones, 34, tweeted: “Lol S*** I may just enjoy retirement.”
    And YouTube star-turned prizefighter Paul, 25, posted: “Boring fight.”
    The 5-0 boxer has built up a bitter feud with UFC president Dana White recently, accusing him of underpaying his stable.
    Ngannou, 35, only walked away with a £440,000 payday but will earn more due to his pay-per-view bonuses.
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    But figures released after UFC 272 revealed only £1.3million was spent on the whole card.
    In contrast, WBC heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury, 33, reportedly earned a massive £22m for his trilogy fight against Deontay Wilder, 36.
    Paul blasted: “I can’t stress enough how bad this is..
    “My next step for helping with this situation will be announced tomorrow. PAY FIGHTERS MORE.”
    Paul has knocked out and beaten two of White’s former fighters, Ben Askren, 37, and Tyron Woodley, 39.
    Ex-UFC champion Woodley initially lost on points in August but was KO’d in their December rematch.
    I don’t hate the guy like people think I hate him. You know, he’s out there doing his thing. Dana White on Jake Paul
    Paul’s over two wins came against online rival ‘AnEsonGib’ and ex-NBA point guard Nate Robinson, 37.
    As a result, White has mocked the social media sensation for failing to fight an opponent who has boxed professionally before.
    But the UFC boss recently talked down a feud with Paul, telling Manouk Akopyan: “He really hasn’t been a thorn in my side.
    “I don’t hate the guy like people think I hate him. You know, he’s out there doing his thing.
    “He’s a young guy who’s got a fanbase and is trying to make some money. I don’t ever fault anybody for that.”
    Francis Ngannou and UFC president Dana WhiteCredit: Getty More

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    ‘Pay fighters more’ – Jake Paul slams UFC 270 purses with Francis Ngannou earning £440k compared to Tyson Fury’s £22m

    JAKE PAUL hit out at the UFC 270 purses and demanded Dana White ‘pay fighters more’. Figures released after the pay-per-view event – headlined by heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou – revealed £1.3million was spent on the whole card.
    Francis Ngannou after beating Ciryl GaneCredit: Getty
    Tyson Fury following his trilogy bout win over Deontay WilderCredit: Rex
    In contrast, WBC heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury, 33, reportedly earned a massive £22million for his trilogy fight against Deontay Wilder, 36.
    YouTuber-turned prizefighter Paul, who made £33m for his three-fight 2021, blasted the recent UFC 270 purses.
    He tweeted: “I can’t stress enough how bad this is..
    “My next step for helping with this situation will be announced tomorrow. PAY FIGHTERS MORE.”
    Ngannou, 35, was paid £440,000 for his win over Gane, 31, but as champion he is entitled to a PPV bonus.
    Even so, the Cameroonian has demanded a pay rise and clause in his contract that would allow him to also box at the same time.
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    As it stands, Ngannou is a free agent having failed to extend his UFC deal, enabling his dream move into boxing.
    Fury tweeted: “Congratulations @francis_ngannou but if you want to make some real money come see the GK.”
    Ngannou fuelled speculation he will walk out on the UFC and crossover to boxing after being quizzed post-fight.
    He said: “As I always say, boxing is always in the back of my pocket. It’s something that I must do before the end of my career.
    “And right now, I’m really looking towards any opportunity to get that because it’s not like I had a lifetime here. So I better start thinking about it.”
    Francis Ngannou at the UFC 270 post-fight press conferenceCredit: AFP More

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    Tyson Fury urges UFC champion Francis Ngannou to ‘come see the Gypsy King’ and ‘make some real money’ in boxing fight

    TYSON FURY urged UFC champion Francis Ngannou to ‘come see the Gypsy King’ and ‘make some real money’ in a boxing fight. Ngannou is now a free agent after beating Ciryl Gane, fighting out the last bout on his current UFC contract.
    Tyson Fury urged UFC champion Francis Ngannou to ‘come see the Gypsy King’Credit: Reuters
    Francis Ngannou after beating Ciryl GaneCredit: AFP

    And Fury appears ready to welcome the Cameroonian star over to the boxing ring for a lucrative crossover clash.
    He tweeted: “Congratulations @francis_ngannou but if you want to make some real money come see the GK.”
    The disparity in fighter pay between the UFC’s Ngannou and unbeaten boxing champion Fury was laid bare.
    Ngannou, 35, walked away with £440,000 after beating Gane, 31, but does receive bonuses when pay-per-view sales are calculated.
    Whereas Fur, 33, reportedly earned £22m alone for his brutal 11-round knockout in his trilogy bout with Deontay Wilder, 36, in October.
    YouTuber-turned 5-0 prizefighter Jake Paul – embroiled in a feud with UFC boss Dana White – hit out at the UFC 272 purses.
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    Paul, 25, posted: “I can’t stress enough how bad this is..
    “My next step for helping with this situation will be announced tomorrow. PAY FIGHTERS MORE.”
    UFC fighters are prohibited from competing outside of the promotion unless given a special exemption.
    Conor McGregor, 33, was given so in 2017 against boxing legend Floyd Mayweather, 44, losing in ten rounds.
    No fighter has been given such permission, leaving Ngannou contemplating walking out on the UFC.
    He has previously asked for a pay rise and clause in his contract that would allow him to box at the same time.
    With his demands yet to be accepted, Ngannou admitted at the UFC 272 press-conference his future remains up in the air.
    He said: “It’s been a long time I’ve been wondering about my future in the company. So nothing has changed. I’m still in the same position.
    “I’ve been going to the UFC a lot so I’d kind of like exhausted all my options.”
    Francis Ngannou admitted his UFC future remains in doubtCredit: AFP More