UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou entered the ring with Tyson Fury after his stunning knockout win over Dillian Whyte at Wembley Stadium ahead of their potential meeting in 2023. Both Fury and Ngannou have stated that they plan to fight each other in what would be the two top heavyweights in boxing and the UFC going head-to-head.
Ngannou was in the audience to witness Fury land the huge uppercut to knockout Whyte, a shot that Whyte never saw coming to end the fight. Fury controlled the fight from the first round until he caught Whyte with the huge shot in the sixth round.
The Gypsy King was able to use his length throughout the fight to make it to difficult for Whyte, who started to swing wildly later in the fight after getting frustrated by Fury.
Fury vs Whyte highlights and LIVE reaction
Despite stating that he is likely retiring from boxing, Fury has previously confirmed that he has plans to fight UFC heavyweight champion Ngannou next year at the Raiders Stadium. The two have gone back and forth over the past few months, and both made their intentions clear of wanting to fight one another.
No fight will happen in 2022 - with Ngannou currently contracted with the UFC - although his deal officially expired and he is currently in rehab after major knee surgery which is set to keep him out for up to nine months. After defeating heavyweight sensation Ciryl Gane in January, Ngannou triggered a champions' clause in his current deal, meaning he remains on the roster and under contract until he relinquishes the belt.
After stepping in the ring and shaking hands with Fury on Saturday, Ngannou said: “We are going to find out who the baddest mother****** on the planet is.” Fury said: "Going to be an explosive fight when it happens."
Fury has previously told Ngannou that he will fight him in an MMA octagon style fight, with four ounce gloves - potentially in the UFC, if president Dana White would sanction it.