Shaquille O’Neal had his eyes set on Francis Ngannou the very day ‘The Predator’ picked him up with no resistance. Thus, Shaq, the seven-footer with over 300 pounds, knew Ngannou had the physical attributes to become a UFC heavyweight champion.
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The NBA legend became a fan of the African and followed his coronation against the heavyweight GOAT Stipe Miocic at UFC 260.
During an ESPN interview, Shaq and White were promoting the NBA superstar’s foundation ‘The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation’, where Shaq asked White a question after suggesting he saw Ngannou becoming the UFC heavyweight champion.
“I saw a story where he had to cross the border six or sometimes. Is that true, Dana?”
White, who in the press conferences, on several occasions, has suggested he can’t hear properly, asked, “That he what?”
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Las Vegas , United States – 6 October 2018; UFC President Dana White during the post fight press conference following UFC 229 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. (Photo By Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
Shaq reiterated, “Like he had to cross like a border six or seven times. Across the border, they sent them back, and they cross again and send them back.”
White didn’t add anything to the story and only said, “Yeah, that guy had a very hard life, and you know…”
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Since White had nothing to add further, Shaq continued to express his admiration for the UFC heavyweight champion.
Shaquille O’Neal watched UFC 260 main event
Shaq suggested he saw Ngannou train and knew ‘The Predator’ was ready.
Francis Ngannou won the UFC heavyweight title in his second attempt at the prestigious gold. Also, he was familiar with his counterpart, Stipe Miocic, as Miocic had handed Ngannou a lopsided loss in their first bout.
However, this time around, Ngannou put on a definitive performance against the heavyweight GOAT and finished the fight in the second round with a brutal knockout.
After knowing Ngannou’s story and him lifting the NBA legend, Shaq was intrigued by Ngannou’s UFC career.
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What do you think of Shaquille O’Neal and Dana White’s interaction? Let us know in the comments.