Tyson Fury to Fight Ex-UFC Champion Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia

Francis Ngannou will take on the biggest challenge available for his first fight in the boxing ring.

Drew Beaupré | Jul 11, 2023

Tyson Fury to Fight Ex-UFC Champion Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia /

A boxing match between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou has reportedly been finalized for October 28 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The news follows months of speculation around the next opponent for each man, with Fury having exchanged words with a number of his fellow heavyweight boxers as well as UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones.

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The deal that Ngannou signed with the PFL earlier this year apparently included a stipulation that the former UFC titleholder could box as well, and now it appears that “The Predator” has finally got his wish.

Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou will fight on Oct. 28 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, sources told ESPN.

WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman didn't respond to a text message asking if Fury's heavyweight title will be on the line. The rules and number of rounds are unclear at this time. pic.twitter.com/shxhaqvjt8
— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) July 11, 2023

Noted MMA journalist Ariel Helwani reported last week that a deal for the two to fight was close to being announced, and boxing promoter Eddie Hearn also recently commented that he’d heard the matchup might take place as an exhibition bout.

Even without the inclusion of details such as the number of rounds and whether it will be a professional or exhibition bout, the heavyweight clash between Fury and Ngannou will now be a must-watch affair for countless sports fans as well as arguably the most-anticipated fight in the second half of the year across all of combat sports.

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Published Jul 11, 2023