Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou recently met soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Both the footballer and the fighter took to Instagram to post their pictures and appreciated meeting each other.
In an interview with TMZ Sports, Francis Ngannou revealed Cristiano Ronaldo’s advice to him and more about their conversation:
“We had a good talk. He told me that the Saudi [Arabia] is the future. A lot of people doesn’t understand now but they are changing really fast, it’s moving really fast. And that’s even what I personally, that was my feeling when I get there. It was my first time going to Saudi and I was literally like, I didn’t really know how to carry myself, how to behave myself, but I get there and find out that everything is cool. It was just like normal life.”
Furthermore, ‘The Predator’ detailed his experience of meeting Ronaldo and the footballing legend’s love for mixed martial arts:
“It’s pretty cool, man. I’ve been following Cristiano for the past, maybe 17 years. And then, you know, to get to meet him in person and find out that he is a huge fan of the sport. That he knows a lot about the sport. He loves the sport. He’s watched us fight. He knows a lot about me than what I was expecting. Very impressive. You know, to get someone like Cristiano Ronaldo knowing the game, know you or what you are doing, is pretty cool. He’s pretty big. He’s pretty huge. Listen, it’s like a huge support from him.”
Check out Francis Ngannou’s full interview below:
Francis Ngannou responds to Tyson Fury’s callout – “We need this fight”
Tyson Fury called out Francis Ngannou after the Cameroonian’s exit from the UFC and outlined the terms for an unconventional bout between the two heavyweights.
The terms included four-ounce gloves on both fighters and the bout would take place inside a cage. A surprise blockbuster inclusion would be legendary boxer Mike Tyson as a referee for the bout.
Check out Tyson Fury’s callout below:
Ngannou responded in an interview with Canal+ Sport Afrique and stated that it was high time the two met in a fight:
“Tyson Fury and I have been warming up on social media for over two years. Obviously, we all need this fight. It’s been long enough. Today we have the opportunity to dot the i’s.” [Translation via Google]
Check out his statement below: