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Deontay Wilder vs. Francis Ngannou Edges Closer, MMA Superstar Drops Major Update

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Michael Aldon | Last updated Aug 18, 2025 10:22 PM ET

Francis Ngannou’s transition from MMA to boxing was one of the most audacious moves for any UFC fighter. After knocking down Tyson Fury in his 2023 boxing debut, despite the controversial split decision loss, Ngannou suffered a brutal KO against Anthony Joshua five months later. He is, however, the biggest star to compete in both MMA and boxing simultaneously. Ngannou bounced back with an MMA win during his promotional debut against Renan Ferreira for the PFL Heavyweight Super Fights Championship belt.

Meanwhile, Deontay Wilder, one of the most feared punchers in heavyweight boxing, has seen his own career fluctuate, with a 1-4 losing skid since 2021, including knockout losses to Fury, Joseph Parker, and Zhilei Zhang. Recently, however, he won against Tyrrell Anthony Herndon by 7th round TKO, proving he still has what it takes to step into the ring.

Both men carry the same allure. They both have the terrifying ability to put someone’s lights out with a single punch.

Now, on The Ariel Helwani Show, Ngannou confirmed that negotiations for a Wilder clash are in motion, reigniting hopes for a crossover spectacle.

Watch the full interview here:

When asked about a potential return to PFL in 2025, Ngannou shut down immediate plans, saying his focus is on boxing.

“There's nothing yet, I don't think they have an opening for me, so we will wait,” Ngannou said on his return to MMA. “We still have time. Meanwhile, we're trying on the Deontay Wilder fight.”

When Helwani asked if Ngannou wants to pursue a fight with Wilder, he responded with a brief, “Yes. I do.”

"We haven't engaged personally, but it's gonna be soon,” Ngannou teased. “We are setting some things up, but I keep training. I'm training.”

The bout’s appeal lies in both fighters’ aforementioned ability to change the course of a fight with a single punch. Wilder boasts an impressive 43 KOs out of his 44 wins, while Ngannou’s MMA record consists of 11 KOs out of his 13 wins. The knockout power from both sides guarantees a clash of titans in the boxing ring, where a decision would be unlikely.

When asked if the fight is his top choice across all sports and opponents, he admitted, “I would say so, since the Jon Jones fight is off. It [the Jones fight] cannot be a part of my top choice.”

The acknowledgment closes the door, for now, on his dream MMA fight. At the same time, Ngannou remains convinced that Jones will not stay retired for long.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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