Khabib Nurmagomedov has warned Francis Ngannou that he doesn't see anyone, including the UFC star, landing a punch against Tyson Fury.
Fury and Ngannou have teased a crossover fight for over a year, but with Ngannou now out of contract with the UFC the fight looks more promising.
'The Gypsy King', who is scheduled to defend his WBC heavyweight title against Dillian Whyte in April, is targeting early 2023 for a clash with the UFC star.
That timeframe would fit Ngannou well, as the Cameroonian will be out until October with a knee injury and will be free to leave the UFC in December.
And now-retired UFC great Nurmagomedov thinks Oleksandr Usyk is the only fighter who has a chance against Fury.
“In boxing, I don’t see anyone even touching his face – maybe Oleksandr Usyk. Usyk is going to be a tough challenge for Fury," he told Sky Sports.
“If they fight in MMA, of course Ngannou has a chance now – we can see from his last fight.
“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?”
Ngannou refused to sign a new contract before outpointing interim titleholder Ciryl Gane last month to defend his heavyweight title for the first time.
'The Predator' not only demanded better pay, but also wanted a clause that would allow him to box stars like Fury whilst under UFC contract.
He admitted that refusing to sign several new deals has cost him millions, but he has also been backed to earn a massive £29.5million to box Fury.
UFC boss Dana White added to Ngannou's tense relationship with the promotion by not putting the belt on him after his win at UFC 270.
Who wins in the crossover fight - Tyson Fury or Francis Ngannou? Let us know your prediction in the comments section below
But White later played down his absence by stating there was "stuff going on backstage" during the main event.
Nurmagomedov, who officially retired from the UFC and vacated his lightweight title last year, think Ngannou has an obligation to fulfil his contract.
"Francis [and the UFC] I don't know what they have, but if you have contract you have to follow. This is just my opinion," he continued.
"I'm not against Francis, not against Dana or the UFC. I just wanna give advice for fighters, when you sign a contract you have to read the contract.
"If you sign five, ten or six-fight deal you have to finish your contract. I'm religious guy and if you have a deal you have to follow this."
