Francis Ngannou, former UFC heavyweight champion, left Piers Morgan momentarily stunned during a recent interview on “Uncensored” when asked how long it would take him to kill the host in a ring.
The conversation took an unexpected turn when Morgan, seemingly in jest, inquired about Ngannou’s lethal capabilities.
Morgan: “Have you ever been worried about fighters dying? Sadly, sometimes fighters get killed doing what they do professionally. Have you ever worried about dying while you fight? Or have you ever worried about killing someone, given your enormous power?”
Ngannou: “No, I’ve never seen somebody die, and I’ve never been worried about it. We are professionals, and everything is very organized. We do all the exams beforehand to check if we’re healthy and in good condition to handle this extreme sport. There are rules and regulations in place to protect us, so I don’t worry about things like that. I don’t want to get hurt or hit, but I understand it’s part of the sport, and injuries can happen. But no, I don’t think about dying.”
Morgan: “How long do you think I’ve been doing this? How long would it take you to kill me in a ring, do you think?”
Ngannou: “Well, I think you might underestimate yourself. It’s really hard. I don’t think it’s that easy to kill someone—especially someone who’s prepared, well-trained, and conditioned to endure those situations. A person who’s been trained for that kind of position over time.”
The former champion elaborated, suggesting that while Morgan might not die, he would likely end up in the hospital if untrained. This response appeared to catch Morgan off-guard, who quipped that he might not remember the date or even the year after such an encounter.
Throughout the interview, Ngannou displayed a thoughtful and humble demeanor, discussing his remarkable journey from Cameroon to UFC stardom. He spoke about his transition to boxing, including his highly-praised performance against Tyson Fury, and his upcoming return to MMA.
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is set to return to MMA after pursuing his boxing ambitions. Ngannou will make his debut with the PFL on October 19, facing heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira for the PFL Super Fight title.
The event, broadcast live on DAZN from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will showcase two powerhouses. Ferreira, standing 6’8″, is on a four-fight win streak and dominated his last four opponents, including a 21-second TKO victory over Bellator champion Ryan Bader. Bot have experienced devastating losses in their careers. This matchup will be a proving ground for both, as Ngannou aims to reassert his dominance, while Ferreira looks to show that PFL champions can compete with the best in the UFC.
