Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is reportedly in discussions with Misfits Boxing.
âThe Predatorâ has been out of action since his decision victory over Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 last year. Following the victory, Ngannou revealed that he was fighting compromised against âBon Gaminâ. As a result of a knee injury, heâs spent over a year out of the cage.
However, he likely wouldnât have fought for the remainder of 2022 anyway. Prior to, and following the event, Ngannou discussed his battles with the UFC brass and Dana White. Along with that, the heavyweight championâs contract was expiring at the end of the year.
Earlier this month, Francis Ngannou decided to turn down an $8 million dollar offer from the UFC to sign elsewhere. While the money wasnât an issue, he reportedly had other issues with the promotion. Namely, a lack of health insurance, sponsors, and a fighter advocate present during negotiations.
The UFC quickly booked Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane for the vacant heavyweight title for March. However, Ngannou doesnât have anything booked, and itâs not certain where he will sign. Earlier this week, he did reveal his plans to fight in July, likely in his boxing debut, but nothing official.
We now know that debut could come under the Misfits Boxing branding and against Derek Chisora. Longtime boxing promoter Kalle Sauerland discussed the signing in a recent interview with Pro Boxing Fans and admitted the two sides are already in contact.
âDel Boyâ currently holds a professional boxing record of 33-13, having last been knocked out by Tyson Fury in December.
Iâd love to sign him, I think heâd fit perfectly in with our crossover stuff with Misfits,â stated Sauerland in a recent interview regarding Francis Ngannou. âWe can build him on there, bring over Derek Chisora, a big fight like that you know? Thereâs a lot of good fights for him.â
He continued, âI think Mams [Taylor] is speaking to their people. Iâm sure a lot of people are speaking to their people, but I think we can offer him something unique. Iâm not involved, but my partner Mams is discussing with his people, yes.â
Misfits Boxing is the popular crossover boxing promotion that was started by KSI last year. While the company normally features influencers, theyâve previously held professional matchups as well.
Last November, Greg Hardy defeated Hasim Rahman Jr. on Misfits Boxing 3, in one of the rare professional matchups. Given Kalle Sauerlandâs comments, we could see Francis Ngannou vs. Derek Chisora at an event somewhere down the line.
New levels of stupid have been reached
Misfits Boxing is basically KSIâs company btw
Damn thatâs a huge man. You can feel the effective power.
It is Power Slap weak too
Wow I guess I wasnât that far off when I joked he could end up at Street Beefs lol
This has been navigated horribly on Ngannouâs end. No matter how badly he wants to box Fury, he doesnât seem to realize Fury or Usyk, Joshua, WilderâŚNot one of those guys NEED him for anything. He badly over-estimated his value on the open market. The more he has to openly beg for a fight, the longer heâll end up waiting, driving his value down even more.
Just look at where heâs at nowâŚHe went from UFC champion, with aspirations to fight Jones and Stipe, and hopefully a showdown with FuryâŚto a free agent, stripped of his title, Fury moved on to Usyk, and getting offers from random promotions that want him to maybe fight Derek Chisora if they could arrange it lol
Good Stuph