UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has claimed his crossover fight with Tyson Fury is likely to happen in 2023.
The 35-year-old joined Fury in the ring at Wembley on Saturday night following his stunning knockout win over Dillian Whyte after a previous exchange between the two on social media.
Fury has hinted at retirement from boxing but has not ruled out competing in a different format, with a hybrid fight comparable to Conor McGregor’s bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr in 2017 mooted.
Ngannou retained his title against Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 in January and is currently injured, with his UFC contract set to expire in December.
That could free him up to fight Fury without contract restrictions and Ngannou talked of his confidence in making the fight happen.
“We both want this fight, that’s clear, and we respect each other,” Ngannou told the MMA Hour on Monday.
“Probably next year it will happen.
“I think it’s going to happen, it’s just a matter of our promotions, but we will sort this out at some point.”
Of the potential look of the fight, Ngannou said: “Make it a hybrid fight, something that makes it a little uncomfortable for him as a boxer.
“Ideas like MMA gloves or fighting barefoot. I don’t know, we still have to figure this out.
“I would say there’s a 70% chance [my next opponent] is Tyson Fury. On his side I would say 90% against me.”
