In a surprising turn of events on October 28, Francis Ngannou delivered a performance that nearly defeated the reigning WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.
Despite a knockdown and clear dominance in multiple rounds, Ngannou ultimately lost by split decision (96-93, 95-94, and 94-95). The point of controversy was the 96-93 scorecard in favor of Tyson Fury, given by judge Juan Carlos Pelayo.
Popular MMA commentator Joe Rogan was among those vehemently critical of Pelayo’s 96-93 scorecard. On a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, Rogan expressed his frustration.
He stated: “[Francis Ngannou] knocked down Tyson Fury in the third round, beat him up in the eighth round. Most people, including me, thought he should have won the decision, including most boxers, most boxing pundits. He lost by one point on one judge’s scorecard. He won on one judge’s scorecard, another judge, who should go to jail, had it 96-93 for Tyson Fury, which is f*cking outrageous.”
Ngannou’s remarkable performance against Tyson Fury has positioned him as a formidable force in both boxing and MMA.
In addition to his impending return to the boxing ring, Ngannou has inked a deal with the PFL. Thi confirms his comeback to the MMA scene in 2024.
Following Ngannou’s electrifying performance, speculation ran rampant regarding his future opponents in the boxing arena. The names on everyone’s lips were all top-tier heavyweights with their own impressive track records. Some of them were Anthony Joshua, Andy Ruiz, and Deontay Wilder.
Joe Rogan also voiced his desire for a rematch against Tyson Fury. Taking to Instagram, Rogan stated: “Congrats to the great and powerful @francisngannou on a spectacular performance. I hope they run it back.”
Regardless of what lies ahead for Francis Ngannou, it is indisputable that he has established himself as a force to be reckoned with. At 37 years old, Ngannou has demonstrated his prowess in both MMA and boxing. This sets the stage for several blockbuster matchups before his eventual retirement.