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    Jake Paul tells Mike Tyson he WILL fight Conor McGregor and claims UFC star is ‘already ducking me’

    JAKE PAUL has revealed his plan to fight Conor McGregor, but claims the UFC legend is ‘already ducking me’.The 24-year-old YouTuber has been calling out the Irishman for more than a year as he looks to land a bout with the former two-weight MMA world champion.
    Paul was chatting with Tyson about a fight with McGregorCredit: Social Media – Refer
    McGregor is looking to return to the UFC this summer
    And, while speaking to ex-heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, Paul insisted he will take on McGregor after five more fights.
    In a video of the two on Instagram, Paul told Tyson: “I’m going to fight McGregor in five fights.
    “We talked about it, I’m going to fight McGregor for sure.”
    The 5-0 professional boxer then went on to claim that the 33-year-old UFC star is avoiding a fight with him.
    “He’s already ducking me,” Paul explained to Tyson in the clip posted to social media.
    “I’m going to beat McGregor. Just like you said, five fights from now, what’s up?”
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    Paul recently knocked former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley out cold – ending their rivalry following a split decision earlier in 2021.
    He has also beaten fellow YouTuber AnEsonGib, basketball player Nate Robinson and another MMA star Ben Askren.
    But a fight against McGregor promises to attract a heap more attention than what he has already received.
    And the American explained back in November how the bout will take place within the next two years.
    Paul told Bleacher Report: “I will fight everybody. This started with me calling out McGregor.
    “And people were like ‘this kids crazy, Conor will kill him’. But now this fight could happen within the next 24 months one hundred percent.
    “I will beat him, people are seeing how serious I am being about this and are changing the way they think about it.”
    Meanwhile, McGregor is currently on the comeback trail as he continues to recovery from the broken leg he suffered against Dustin Poirier in July.
    The Irishman has lost his last two fights to Poirier – by second round KO and doctor’s stoppage.
    UFC boss Dana White is eyeing a summer return for McGregor if his rehabilitation goes according to plan.
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    White told ESPN: “If everything goes right with the healing of his leg, he’ll be back this summer.
    “I have no idea what the landscape is going to look like by the time he comes back. Dustin Poirier could be retired by the time McGregor comes back.
    “I don’t know [if he could fight for the title right away when he comes back]. I won’t know the answer until it gets closer.” More

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    Francis Ngannou urges UFC to back crossover fight with boxing champ Tyson Fury and says ‘it will happen at some point’

    FRANCIS NGANNOU has urged the UFC to back a fight with Tyson Fury and said: ‘It will happen at some point.’ The UFC and boxing champions have built a steady rivalry in recent years that has seen the pair call each other out.
    Francis Ngannou has urged the UFC to back a fight with Tyson FuryCredit: Getty
    WBC heavyweight boxing champion Tyson FuryCredit: AFP
    And Ngannou is growing confident that the two heavyweight stars will collide in a crossover bout.
    He told DAZN: “I do believe that that fight will happen. I think Tyson Fury wants that fight to happen too, so eventually it will happen at some point. 
    “I can’t say specifically when but for sure it’s gonna happen since we both are willing to make that fight happen.”
    UFC fighters are banned from competing outside the promotion, unless given a special exemption.
    Conor McGregor, 33, was given one in 2017 for his lucrative boxing loss to American legend Floyd Mayweather, 44.
    No fighter has since been given such treatment – but Ngannou wants to put a stop to that.
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    He added: “I think it would be more viral with the supporting that, with the UFC behind that.
    “Anything that you do with the UFC behind, I think it’s gonna be huge.”
    Fury, 33, most recently teased a boxing match with UFC gloves on against Ngannou, 35.
    But the Cameroonian UFC champion has his sights set on a switch to boxing.
    Ngannou defends his title against former training partner Ciryl Gane, 31, on January 22.
    It is the last fight on his UFC contract and Ngannou has threatened to walk out on the promotion amid a pay row.
    I do believe that that fight will happen. I think Tyson Fury wants that fight to happen too, so eventually it will happen at some point. Francis Ngannou
    And if he is to extend his deal, he wants a clause that would allow him to box at the same time.
    UFC president Dana White appeared relaxed when quizzed about Ngannou potentially leaving as a free agent after his defence against Gane.
    White said on Teddy Atlas’ podcast: “Francis and I bumped into each other the other night at dinner.
    “We had a good talk and he’s not out of contract if he wins that fight. I think he’s got one more fight with us after that.
    “I say it all the time, this sport’s fun for me. I love doing this, and contrary to the narrative out there, we’ve made a lot of people very wealthy.
    “If you don’t wanna be here, if this is not where you want to be, well, that’s not fun for you and it’s definitely not fun for me, either.
    “These are all grown men and women, and everybody has to make their own decisions in life and go down their own paths, but I think Francis and I had a good conversation.”

    UFC heavyweight champion Francis NgannouCredit: Getty More

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    Tommy Fury told to return against Tyron Woodley to earn Jake Paul fight but ex-UFC star says Love Islander would LOSE

    TOMMY FURY has been told to return in a fight against Tyron Woodley in a bid to reschedule his grudge match with Jake Paul. But former UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen, who made the suggestion, backed Woodley to beat Fury.
    Tommy Fury has been told to return in a fight against Tyron WoodleyCredit: Splash
    Former UFC title challenger Chael SonnenCredit: Getty
    Sonnen, 44, said on his YouTube channel: “You wanna know a fight that would work – throw Tommy Fury in there with Tyron Woodley.
    “If Tommy can show that he can handle himself with Tyron, then Tommy will belong in there with Jake afterwards.
    “The problem with doing that is that Tommy can’t beat Tyron Woodley.
    “Tommy would not beat Tyron and if Tommy wouldn’t show up to face Jake because of the pressures that came with that, then it’s going to be even more pressure to fight a guy who Jake has beaten twice.
    “And he wouldn’t show up for that trust me.”
    The celebrity rivals were due to put bragging rights and unbeaten records on the line on December 18.
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    But Fury, 22, was forced to pull out with a broken rib and bacterial chest infection.
    Following the withdrawal, Woodley, 39, filled in as a replacement, four months after losing to Paul, 24, on points and was knocked out in round six.
    It means Paul has KO’d every opponent he has faced, with Woodley joining YouTuber ‘AnEsonGib’, ex-NBA player Nate Robinson, 37, and retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, 37.
    But with Fury’s cancellation, it means he is still yet to face an opponent with prior professional boxing experience.
    Paul has since entered talks to fight Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, 35, a former middleweight world champion.
    Tyron Woodley was knocked out by Jake Paul in their rematchCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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    UFC legend Daniel Cormier has ‘no interest’ in training Jake Paul and says YouTuber’s switch to MMA ‘seems like a ploy’

    DANIEL CORMIER admitted he has ‘no interest’ in training Jake Paul – and reckons the YouTuber’s switch to MMA ‘seems like a ploy’. Paul is 5-0 as a boxer but recently revealed plans to one day make a move to the cage.
    Daniel Cormier and head coach Javier Mendez
    Jake Paul has hinted at an MMA switchCredit: AFP
    He later claimed Javier Mendez – who has coached the likes of Khabib Nurmagomedov and Cormier – would be his choice of MMA trainer.
    But former two-weight UFC champion DC would not be lending his knowledge to Paul, who once called him out to a fight.
    Cormier, 42, told The Schmo: “No, I have no interest in that. It seems like a lot of ploys, right? It’s always ploys.
    “I don’t know how true much of it is, but it seems like a ploy to me, so I’m not going to play that game.”
    Paul, 24, most recently knocked out ex-UFC champion Tyron Woodley in their December rematch, four months after initially winning on points.
    It added to KO’s over YouTuber ‘AnEsonGib’, ex-NBA player Nate Robinson, 37, and retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, 37.
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    Soon after, he called out UFC pair Jorge Masvidal, 37 and Nate Diaz, 36, to continue his rivalry with the UFC and promoter Dana White.
    Paul then claimed he would fight Masvidal in the UFC, so long as White accepted his terms.
    The demands were as follows: “1) Increase min fighter pay per fight to $50k (it’s $12k now).
    “2) Guarantee UFC fighters 50% of UFC annual revenues ($1bn in 2021).
    “3) Provide long term healthcare to all fighters (you previously said brain damage is part of the gig… imagine the NFL said that).
    “There are many UFC alums who have publicly said they are suffering from brain damage.”
    American Kickboxing Academy head coach Mendez denied ever agreeing to train Paul, but would be open to the idea if his gym stable were on board.
    No, I have no interest in that. It seems like a lot of ploys, right? It’s always ploys.Daniel Cormier on Jake Paul joining his MMA gym
    He said: “It could happen. But like anybody, we have to go through all the coaches and all the fighters that are here and anybody that’s a famous athlete like him.
    “They will go through the routine that everybody does, so he would have to get voted by everybody.
    “First of all, he’s never asked. What he’s done is he’s marketed himself beautifully.
    “I loved the plug he gave us, I think it was a fantastic plug and I think he’s a fantastic person.
    “But the reality is no matter who you are, you have to go through the team to get consent to train with us.
    “He hasn’t been given consent because he hasn’t asked. It’s not that he won’t [be approved], I just know he hasn’t asked.
    “If he does get denied, he won’t know who denied him, because we don’t say that.”
    Jake Paul practising kicks in an MMA gymCredit: Instagram @jakepaul More

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    ‘Can he take a shot?’ – Jake Paul ‘would really hurt’ Anderson Silva, 46, if he landed right hand, says UFC champ

    UFC CHAMPION Aljamain Sterling claimed Jake Paul would ‘really hurt’ Anderson Silva – if he lands the right shot. MMA legend Silva has long been touted as a potential opponent for the YouTube star-turned-prizefighter.
    YouTube star-turned-prizefighter Jake PaulCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain SterlingCredit: 2015 Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
    And despite Silva’s wealth of experience in the cage, Paul is 5-0 as a boxer and naturally the bigger man.
    It leads to fears from bantamweight Sterling, 32, who questioned the Brazilian’s punch resistance now at the veteran age of 46.
    He said on his YouTube channel: “I know Anderson Silva was supposedly a frontrunner to fight Jake.
    “If Jake were to connect, I think he would really hurt Anderson. I think Paul is going to tie him up, lean on him.
    “He’s a young guy, he’s going to grab him. Against [Tyron] Woodley, he clinched 30 times over the first five rounds.
    “With this one, Silva’s got hands. But the only thing is, can he take a shot?”
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    Paul, 24, has knocked out every opponent he has faced, after leaving Woodley, 39, out cold in December, four months after beating him on points.
    It added to KOs over YouTuber ‘AnEsonGib’, ex-NBA player Nate Robinson, 37, and retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, 37.
    Tommy Fury, 22, was set to be Paul’s first opponent with prior professional boxing experience.
    Legendary UFC middleweight Anderson SilvaCredit: Getty
    But Fury was forced to pull out with a broken rib and bacterial chest infection, with Woodley filling in as his replacement.
    Paul has since been in talks to fight Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, 35, the Mexican former middleweight world champion.
    Coincidentally, Chavez Jr was stunned by Silva in June over eight rounds. More

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    Watch UFC legend Anderson Silva, 46, spar BOTH his sons at same time leaving one on floor with ease

    ANDERSON SILVA showed his sons how it is done after taking them BOTH on at the same time. The Brazilian is affectionately known as ‘The Spider’ and during his prime was gifted with unrivalled speed and timing.
    Anderson Silva showed his sons how it is done after taking them BOTH on at the same time
    Anderson Silva sparring with his sons in California
    But even at the age of 46, Silva is proving he is still the daddy and takes no prisoners, not even with his boys.
    Sons Kalyl and Gabriel – both kickboxers – were captured sparring with their legendary dad in California.
    And they could not get near the middleweight great, who was slipping and sliding for fun.
    At one point, Silva even floors one of his sons with a perfect leg sweep.
    The veteran southpaw in 2020 left the UFC after being released from his contract following three consecutive losses.
    He has since transitioned to boxing, having twice competed in the ring during his earlier career.
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    During the final chapter of his illustrious career, Silva has also been focusing on the next generation, coaching and corning his lads.
    Kalyl, 22, is 2-0 in kickboxing, winning his debut in August after just eight seconds.
    Meanwhile, older brother Gabriel, 24, has won titles and holds a record of 5-1, but most recently being knocked out in November.
    In June, their dad beat ex-boxing champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, 35, in a shock points win over eight rounds.
    Then in September, he KO’d fellow former UFC champion Tito Ortiz, 46, in round one of their boxing bout.
    Gabriel Silva with dad Anderson and brother KalylCredit: @gabrielrmnl More

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    Francis Ngannou told he would need to quit UFC and train for THREE-YEARS to compete with Tyson Fury in boxing ring

    FRANCIS NGANNOU would need to quit mixed martial arts and solely train in boxing for THREE YEARS to stand a chance against Tyson Fury.The UFC’s heavyweight champion accepted a shock call out from The Gypsy King on social media last week.
    Tyson Fury called out UFC heavyweight champ Francis Ngannou earlier this monthCredit: TWITTER
    The Predator quickly accepted the shock call out from FuryCredit: GETTY
    But Ngannou’s old coach Fernand Lopez reckons he’d need three years of training to be able to compete with the Gypsy KingCredit: GETTY
    But the Predator’s old coach Fernand Lopez reckons he’d need to immerse himself in the sweet science the the next three years to have any hope of hanging with the WBC heavyweight champ.
    The MMA Factory chief said: “I think the fight makes sense for Francis because he thinks he can cash out.
    “There’s also something there for Tyson Fury – he doesn’t care that it’s not a competitive fight, he just wants to make money and make some news.
    “It would take at least three years for Francis Ngannou to be competitive from a boxing standpoint with Tyson Fury, and I mean three years only dedicated to boxing.
    “Realistically he would have to stop everything else and probably do nothing else for three years, only boxing. No grappling, nothing else.”
    Ngannou, 34, has shown conditioning problems in the past and Lopez reckons they’d rear their head in a fight with Fury.
    @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);}
    He added: “The way that his body and muscles are built, it will not allow him to keep throwing punches after the third round.
    “I’m not sure Francis can ever challenge the stamina or endurance of Tyson Fury.”
    Should the shock bout come to fruition, Lopez can only see former lineal heavyweight champ Fury having his hand raised.
    He said: “All he can do is have a high defence; be elusive, close footwork, change direction.
    “But eventually Tyson will wear him down, get him tired, work the body and then go up with the uppercut, and sooner or later Francis will give up because of the volume, because of the pressure shots and he will just go down. I don’t see how he can win the match, this is an opportunity for him to cash out.
    “I’m not sure if you’re a UFC fighter it’s worth letting it all go and have three years of steady boxing training – how would you live your life, what would be your income?
    “And after three years you may be competitive enough to stand there and keep throwing punches.
    “We are not expecting anything brilliant, Francis is not a boxer. You train a lot to be a boxer.
    “Boxing needs dedication, boxing needs sacrifice, you need years and years to train. So we know the outcome of that fight.”
    BUMPER PAY DAY
    That being said, Lopez reckons his former student – who is said to be out of contract at the end of the year – could make a bumper payday fighting Fury.
    He said: “The question is how much Francis Ngannou can make a lot of money, because he only has one shot.
    “Objectively speaking, he cannot think about having a boxing career because his boxing skill will not be enough for him to become a boxer.
    “Francis Ngannou wants to move over to boxing but that can only happen if he’s the champ.
    “If he leaves the UFC and he’s not the champion, no matter which company he wants to go to, it won’t look good. We have to keep that in mind.
    “You can’t ask for a new contract with a clause that allows you to go boxing, it makes no sense.
    “And you cannot impose this on the UFC now you are a big name just because you want to cash in – those are not the terms of the agreement.”
    The quotes in this article first appeared on the Betway US blog
    Lopez reckons Ngannou would struggle to hang with Tyson FuryCredit: Getty
    Francis Ngannou will be back in action a week on Saturday at UFC 270Credit: UFC
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    UFC star Francis Ngannou warned he is ‘not ready’ for Tyson Fury fight after being called out by Gypsy King for clash

    UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has been told he’s nowhere near ‘ready’ to face Tyson Fury in a crossover bout.The Predator was last week on the receiving end of a shock call-out from the WBC heavyweight king, a challenge he gleefully accepted.
    UFC heavyweight champ Francis Ngannou was recently called out Gypsy King Tyson Fury
    The heavy-handed Ngannou quickly accepted Fury’s shock call-outCredit: Getty
    But former world title challenger and coach of Jake Paul BJ Flores reckons Ngannou has no chance against The Gypsy KingCredit: Instagram @bjflorespro
    But the heavy-handed Cameroonian’s chances of battering the Gypsy King have been written off by many in the boxing world, including former WBC cruiserweight title challenger BJ Flores.
    He told The Schmo: “Francis Ngannou is so fun to watch.
    “He’s so big, strong and explosive and such a powerful athlete.
    “But with Tyson Fury, it’s very, very difficult to go in there with a guy like Tyson Fury.
    “It might look easy on TV but Tyson Fury is the real deal and Francis will struggle incredibly with a guy like Tyson Fury.
    “He’s not just going to go out there and just hit him.
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    “Fury is going to beat him, period I’d like them to fight other guys who are big as well – he’s not ready for Tyson Fury.”
    Ngannou, 34, is currently on the last fight of his UFC contract and hopes to negotiate a new deal that will permit him to box too.
    The former refugee will be back in action a week on Saturday in the main event of UFC 270 in Anaheim, California.
    Ngannou’s first title defence will see him lock horns with former MMA Factory team-mate Ciryl Gane.
    Francis Ngannou will defend his heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane next weekendCredit: UFC
    In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Ngannou said of his maiden title defence: “I don’t recognize [Gane’s] belt.
    “I’m the undisputed heavyweight champion. [Gane’s belt] isn’t legitimate, it is a replacement.
    “The presence of the champion makes the interim title invalid. And I’m here.”
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