Francis Ngannou received some "huge" words of support from Cristiano Ronaldo during the pair's chance meeting in Saudi Arabia.
Ngannou is considered arguably the most dangerous heavyweight in the world of MMA, and held the UFC title until this month where he has decided to vacate his title and part ways with the promotion. The Cameroon star is now a free agent and is eyeing a stint in the boxing ring which could include a lucrative showdown with Tyson Fury.
Having dominated the heavyweight division in the UFC, Ngannou remains one of the most highly-coveted stars in MMA and is eyeing a continuation of his career with an alternative promotion. During a trip to Saudi Arabia, Ngannou bumped into football legend Ronaldo with the pair posing for some snaps.
And the 36-year-old has revealed Ronaldo was excited at the emerging future of Saudi Arabia following his recent switch to Al Nassr from Manchester United. "We had a good talk. He told me that the Saudi [Arabia] is the future," Ngannou said during an interview with TMZ Sports. "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. 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."
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Ngannou has received offers to compete in a range of new competitions similarly to Ronaldo when he left Old Trafford, which include an appearance in KSI's promotion Misfits Boxing. And promoter Kalle Sauerland has claimed KSI's manager Mams Taylor has approached 'The Predator' and is considering making a fight against Derek Chisora.
"I'd love to sign him and I think he would fit perfectly into our crossover stuff including Misfits," Sauerland told Pro Boxing Fans at the press conference for Chris Eubank Jr v Liam Smith. "I think we could build him on there and bring over Derek Chisora, a big fight like that.
"There are several big fights out there for him, I believe that Mams [Taylor] is speaking to their people. I am sure that a lot of people are talking to their people but I think we could offer them something pretty unique to be honest."
