Francis Ngannou got knocked out cold and it was the MMA world that went into shock instead. Of course, Ngannou wasn’t any less surprised but it’s the fight game. Things happen to everyone, even someone considered one of the most fearsome punchers in all of combat sports. Ngannou is new to boxing. He cannot use his body as freely as he could inside of a cage and that makes a difference. So when Anthony Joshua was preparing to take down the UFC giant, he and his coach knew exactly how to prepare for ‘The Predator’. And this became his downfall.

Francis Ngannou and his southpaw get punished

Francis Ngannou had dreamt of being a boxer one day. Thanks to the PFL, his dream has been fulfilled. But no fighter ever dreams of being knocked out cold in their very second boxing match in an attendance of thousands. So, what went wrong?

According to Ben Davison, Anthony Joshua’s coach, it was Ngannou’s southpaw stance that left him a little bit too exposed. Joshua being the high IQ powerful punching machine that he is, set Ngannou up in a way that later became the reason for him to get knocked down multiple times until he couldn’t get back up again.

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“We prepared for (Francis Ngannou to switch to southpaw).” Davison told The MMA Hour Show. “We knew that he would struggle to defend. If (Anthony joshua) did a couple of things beforehand to set a certain scenario up, he’d struggle to defend the right hand from a southpaw stance. And that’s what happened. I just think it was a mistake on his behalf.” 

Joshua and his team spotted a rather clear weakness in Ngannou’s defense and it was the perfect moment for Joshua to strike. In the very first round, Ngannou got knocked to the mat but he was still conscious. In the second round though, Joshua would consecutively take him down twice with the second time being the last. What’s Ngannou going to do next? He’s going to fight for an MMA matchup instead but boxing isn’t a dead and buried dream just yet.

Ngannou goes back to the cage but not forever

Francis Ngannou will now fight Renan Fereira at the PFL in an MMA match. Fereira has previously demanded to welcome the former UFC heavyweight champ to the promotion and only now is he going to get a shot at it. Does this mean Ngannou’s boxing days are behind him?

Francis Ngannou Defies Dana White & UFC Top Brass Over Kamaru Usman’s Request – “I Have a Right”

Absolutely not. Within the ring itself, once Joshua had knocked him out cold, he could be heard asking Ngannou to not leave boxing later on once the fighter had gotten back to his feet. And Francis Ngannou told Joshua then that he’s not going to do so.

He is “not done with boxing” after one single knockout loss. ‘The Predator’ is stronger than that and will bounce back. Who do you expect him to fight inside a ring next? Let us know in the comments.

Also Read: Mateusz Gamrot Losses: How Many Defeats Has ‘Gamer’ Suffered in His MMA Career?