When Khabib Nurmagomedov defended Francis Ngannou's decision to quit UFC for boxing payday: "He was with no money"
Khabib Nurmagomedov once came to Francis Ngannou's defense amid the latter's tumultuous negotiations with the UFC. 'The Eagle' acknowledged Ngannou's pursuit of big-money matchups against top-tier boxing megastars and suggested that he wouldn't be wrong to depart the UFC if he's getting paid more elsewhere.
At UFC 270 in January 2022, then-UFC heavyweight champion Ngannou defeated then-interim UFC heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane via unanimous decision in their title unification showdown. Reports emerged that it was the final fight on Ngannou's UFC contract and that it would expire at the end of 2022.
Ngannou was keen on competing in the sport of professional boxing. For years, he and then-WBC heavyweight champion, boxing icon Tyson Fury, teased a potential fight. It was unclear whether they'd clash in an MMA bout, boxing match, or some sort of mixed-rules contest.
Speaking to Sky Sports in February 2022, former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov addressed the Francis Ngannou-Tyson Fury dream matchup. Nurmagomedov asserted that the then-undefeated Fury was the current best pugilist and would handily beat Ngannou in boxing.
Nurmagomedov alluded to Ngannou showcasing his wrestling and overall grappling skills in his fight against Gane. On that note, he indicated that Fury wouldn't succeed against the Cameroonian-French combatant in an MMA bout in the UFC.
'The Eagle' opined that Oleksandr Usyk could prove to be Fury's toughest test, but no one else can even touch the Englishman's face in boxing.
Additionally, Nurmagomedov referenced Ngannou's story of overcoming poverty in Africa, migrating to Europe, and eventually ascending to MMA's pinnacle in the UFC in America.
Khabib Nurmagomedov implied that Francis Ngannou should stay in the UFC if he wants to become the greatest heavyweight ever, but should leave if he wanted to pursue money fights in boxing. The Dagestan native stated:
"But Ngannou? I think he has to stay with the UFC. But if he goes to boxing and he's making 50 or 60 million dollars -- he has to. Why not? I know Ngannou comes from a very, very poor life in Africa. He was with no money, no home, nothing. So if someone pays you more money then go and take."
Watch Khabib Nurmagomedov's assessment below (4:28):
Khabib Nurmagomedov had picked Ciryl Gane to defeat Francis Ngannou
Intriguingly, Khabib Nurmagomedov, who retired from MMA in October 2020, had predicted that Ciryl Gane would defeat Francis Ngannou. A translated video clip of Nurmagomedov's prediction, posted by Fights Flashback, later piqued fan interest and showed him deeming Gane as the more skilled fighter than Ngannou. An excerpt from his prediction read:
"I think Gane will win ... My professional opinion is that Gane is a better fighter."
Francis Ngannou left the UFC in January 2023. 'The Predator' attributed his exit, among other reasons, to the UFC not contractually permitting him to box. He eventually signed with the PFL.
Moreover, Ngannou made his boxing debut against Tyson Fury, losing a razor-thin split decision in Oct. 2023. 'The Predator's' second, and most recent, boxing match witnessed him suffer a second-round KO defeat against boxing great Anthony Joshua in March 2024. Presently, Ngannou's booked to make his PFL promotional debut in a championship fight against Renan Ferreira on Oct. 19, 2024.