Chael Sonnen was one of Francis Ngannou‘s biggest doubters when the former UFC heavyweight champion left the UFC earlier this year, and signed with rival promotion PFL, following disagreements with the promotion about fighter pay, health insurance, and potential boxing matches outside the UFC banner. The verbose UFC fighter-turned-analyst had expressed his belief that Francis would not be very successful outside the UFC.

But, with the announcement of the Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou boxing match to find out who is the ‘Baddest Man on the Planet’, Chael thinks this fight is just the latest in a template set by Logan Paul and Floyd Mayweather in their exhibition back in 2021. The fight is scheduled for October 23, 2023, in Saudi Arabia.

Chael’s take on the Francis Ngannou vs. Tyson Fury fight

Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather, known for his excellent Philly Shell defense and stratospheric fight IQ, won 15 world championships and retired with an undefeated 50-0 record. He took on former Disney Channel star and YouTuber and WWE superstar Logan Paul in an exhibition match back in 2021, having defeated Conor McGregor in a boxing match in 2017. And ‘Uncle’ Chael thinks their fight was the blueprint that the Fury vs. Ngannou fight is based on.

“They were the first to do it. This has never been done. You have exclusivity contracts, (there are) things that guys can do and the things that they can’t do. They broke all of these and got away with it- without a lawsuit, without a cease and desist without so much as a threat, just by changing the word (to exhibition)” he said.

But it should be noted that the Fury-Ngannou fight is not an exhibition but a proper boxing match under boxing’s official Marquess of Queensberry Rules, complete with three judges and a 10-point scale. Fury’s WBC and lineal heavyweight championships, however, will not be on the line in the fight.

The West Linn, Oregon native admitted Francis has been successful in his aim: “Francis played a very risky game and he did it alone… and he succeeded,” Chael conceded.

What Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou said about their upcoming fight

“My dream was always to box, and to box the best. After becoming the undisputed MMA Heavyweight Champion, this is my opportunity to make that dream come true and cement my position as the baddest man on the planet.” Francis said in a statement.

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Fury, too, was enthusiastic about the fight, which has been in the works since Fury called out Ngannou from the ring following his sixth-round victory over Dillan Whyte in London last year.

“I can’t wait to get back out there under the lights,” Fury said in a statement. “I’m looking forward to showing the world that The Gypsy King is the greatest fighter of his generation in an epic battle with another master of his craft.” 

Although boxing fans would like to see Fury take on Oleksandr Usyk to unify all major heavyweight titles, this match against Francis Ngannou has the potential to be a huge event as it can bring in fans from both boxing and MMA. Will you watch the Francis Ngannou vs. Tyson Fury fight? Or do you think it is just a gimmick? Tell us in the comments below.

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