Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA – MMA Junkie is on the scene and reporting live from Saturday’s boxing event headlined by Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou.
Fury and Ngannou will meet in a one-of-a-kind 10-round boxing match that pits the lineal boxing heavyweight champion against the lineal MMA heavyweight champion after Ngannou left the UFC earlier this year while still holding the promotion’s title bet.
The seven-fight lineup begins at 1 p.m. ET and streams on DAZN/ESPN+ pay-per-view. Keep it locked here for up-to-the-minute results and behind-the-scenes updates throughout the evening.
For more on the matchup, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Fury vs. Ngannou.
Full fight results
(DAZN/ESPN+ pay-per-view)
- Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou
- Fabio Wardley def. David Adeleye via TKO – Round 7, 2:43
- Joseph Parker def. Simon Kean via knockout – Round 2, 2:04
- Arslanbek Makhmudov def. Junior Anthony Wright via TKO – Round 1, 1:10
- Moses Itauma def. Istvan Bernath via TKO – Round 1, 1:53
- Martin Bakole def. Carlos Takam via TKO – Round 4, 2:15
- Jack McGann def. Alcibiade Duran Galvan via TKO – Round 2, 0:37
Countdown to the first fight
It’s #FuryNgannou fight night! First bout about 90 minutes away here in Riyadh.
I’ll have full coverage for @MMAJunkie. pic.twitter.com/DLGGfX44ae
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) October 28, 2023
Teddy Atlas breaks down Fury vs. Ngannou
No matter how big an underdog, Teddy Atlas tells @MikeBohn he "can't count out" Francis Ngannou from upsetting Tyson Fury later today. 🤔 pic.twitter.com/swF8xdFsxf
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) October 28, 2023
Chuck Liddell breaks down Fury vs. Ngannou
UFC legend Chuck Liddell says Francis Ngannou has to "turn it into a brawl" if he wants to upset Tyson Fury. #FuryNgannou pic.twitter.com/fusExjvC5M
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) October 28, 2023
Fury vs. Ngannou undercard fighters give advice to Francis Ngannou
How can Francis Ngannou actually BEAT Tyson Fury? Boxers give advice to former UFC champ ahead of #FuryNgannou. 🔮 pic.twitter.com/mwIOj36JgR
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) October 28, 2023
Prelim action begins
The #FuryNgannou undercard is underway in Riyadh. We have @MikeBohn ringside. Follow him.
Full coverage: https://t.co/xSWBNp0RIE pic.twitter.com/Qb9ORy4a7I
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) October 28, 2023
Jack McGann def. Alcibiade Duran Galvan
#FuryNgannou results: Jack McGann def. Alcibiade Duran Galvan via TKO – Round 2, 0:37
Full coverage: https://t.co/xSWBNp0RIE pic.twitter.com/DUwdJlJql9
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) October 28, 2023
Replay of Jack McGann's big finish
Jack McGann lands a HUGE punch for the second-round TKO in the opening bout of #FuryNgannou undercard.
Full coverage: https://t.co/xSWBNp0RIE pic.twitter.com/TVKlpwQwoC
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) October 28, 2023
A look inside the main event venue
First look at the indoor portion of the venue for #FuryNgannou. The ring is going to rise from the floor out of the stage.
This entire place was built in 90 days. Absolutely insane. pic.twitter.com/fP82A01Iyx
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) October 28, 2023
Martin Bakole def. Carlos Takam
#FuryNgannou results: Martin Bakole def. Carlos Takam via TKO – Round 4, 2:15
Full coverage: https://t.co/xSWBNp0RIE pic.twitter.com/oAJlN9u5yc
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) October 28, 2023
VIP red carpet arrivals
VIP red carpet for #FuryNgannou. We’ll see who comes through tonight. pic.twitter.com/IKQNkfjEir
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) October 28, 2023
18-year-old Moses Itauma stops Istvan Bernath in less than two minutes
Ring walk time
Supposed to walk around 6pm ET but things already running behind schedule it seems. Will depend on how quickly the other bouts go. https://t.co/pUjooz5I1r
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) October 28, 2023
Vince McMahon arrives with The Undertaker
Vince McMahon is here for #FuryNgannou
With The Undertaker! pic.twitter.com/5hsytbOXxO
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) October 28, 2023
Arslanbek Makhmudov rings Jordan Wright's bell, ends fight in 70 seconds
Tyson Fury arrives
The Gypsy King has arrived! 👑
Tyson Fury makes his way into Boulevard Hall.
Full #FuryNgannou coverage: https://t.co/xSWBNp0RIE pic.twitter.com/UCfXjIhjja
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) October 28, 2023
Vince McMahon tells MMA Junkie about his relationship with Dana White
Vince McMahon discusses his relationship with UFC CEO Dana White, which The Undertaker finds "hilarious."#FuryNgannou | 🎥 @MikeBohn pic.twitter.com/zgqqhKKEKr
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) October 28, 2023
Joseph Parker lands an uppercut from hell, puts Simon Kean away in Round 3
Kanye West rolls in
Kanye is here for #FuryNgannou pic.twitter.com/q2toIolOwM
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) October 28, 2023
Francis Ngannou in the house
Former #UFC champ Francis Ngannou is in the house. 🇨🇲🇫🇷
Full #FuryNgannou coverage: https://t.co/xSWBNp0RIE pic.twitter.com/0bvEfgP1xK
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) October 28, 2023
Lil Baby in attendance
Lil’ Baby in the house. #FuryNgannou pic.twitter.com/u71LOaUnqA
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) October 28, 2023
Conor McGregor arrives
Conor McGregor has finally arrived at #FuryNgannou pic.twitter.com/el4JMYxph0
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) October 28, 2023
A FIRED UP Conor McGregor talks to MMA Junkie
Fabio Wardley ends co-main event vs. David Adeleye violently
Randy Couture gives final prediction
Randy Couture knows it’s a “long shot” for Xtreme Couture athlete Francis Ngannou to win tonight. #FuryNgannou pic.twitter.com/Ddcc8gJS8b
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) October 28, 2023
Becky G performs
Becky G rocks the house before #FuryNgannou 🎶 pic.twitter.com/IA8awSjWs3
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) October 28, 2023
The ring emerges in spectacular fashion
The ring emerges out of the ground for #FuryNgannou 🤯
🎥 @MikeBohn pic.twitter.com/MlrMW4cdFk
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) October 28, 2023
Cristiano Ronaldo takes his seat
Cristiano makes his way ringside for #FuryNgannou pic.twitter.com/IgLkgXQxLH
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) October 28, 2023
Ngannou enters the ring
Lineal UFC champ Francis Ngannou enters the ring for his boxing debut 🥊 pic.twitter.com/noa4aqiKYu
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) October 28, 2023
Round 1: 10-9 Fury
Fury comes out with a big overhand right – and he lands another one. He’s not playing coy with Ngannou, who closes the distance. They clinch and separate. Fury lands another punch. Fury returns. Ngannou whiffs with a combination. Fury sticks a jab. The bell sounds. Ngannou sticks his tongue out. Fury returns by sticking out his tongue.
Total score: 10-9 Fury
Round 2: 10-9 Ngannou
Ngannou comes out more aggressive. He catches Fury with a nice punch that draws blood. Fury notices right away. He keeps wiping his forehead. Fury clinches and the fighters are separated. They clinch again. Same thing: separation.
Total score: 19-19
Round 3: 10-8 Ngannou
Ngannou lands a slick punch early. He threw a right hand, which missed, but followed it up with a left hand that connects. You can hear the crowd ooh and aah at Ngannou. We’re obviously only a fraction into this fight, but so far so good for him. NGANNOU DROPS FURY WITH A LEFT HAND. Fury takes a deep breath on the ground. He was as shocked as the rest of us. Ngannou dances over him. Fury gets up. Ngannou gets aggressive. The round ends.
Total score: 29-27 Ngannou
The knockdown
Ngannou dropped Fury! #FuryNgannou pic.twitter.com/lljVO404YG
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) October 28, 2023
Round 4: 10-9 Fury
Ngannou and Fury clinch. Fury lands some dirty boxing before the referee separates them. They clinch again and Ngannou tosses Fury away. He’s so strong. Ngannou lands a left hand and they clinch again. Fury lands two hard punches, then comes through with another one-two.
Total score: 38-37 Ngannou
Round 5: 10-9 Fury
Ngannou throws another slick combination, but Fury dances around it. They tie up and the referee separates them. They trade and clinch again. Things are getting a little more sloppy. More and more clinching (and separating). Fury misses on a big uppercut. A nice jab lands for Fury. I wonder if we’re starting to see Fury pull away in the cardio department.
Total score: 47-47
Round 6: 10-9 Fury
Fury is getting increasingly comfortable in there. That’s a funny statement to make, but it’s true. Since the knockdown, he’s found his rhythm. Fury throws a punch and the elbow connects to Ngannou’s head. The referee didn’t see it. It was quick. They continue to exchange. Ngannou seems to be slowing down a bit. Fury lands again. The round ends. It was close – as is this fight as a whole. Who would’ve thought?!
Total score: 57-56 Fury
Round 7: 10-9 Ngannou
Both men have slowed noticeably. There’s increasingly more staring than throwing. Fury is rotating around Ngannou, who is pressing the action. Ngannou lands a right hand. The crowd reacts, though it may have missed. Ngannou punches the body. Ngannou lands a left. Fury rushes in and falls to the canvas as they clinch. It was just a slip. Not a knockdown. Fury gets up and the referee restarts.
Total score: 66-66
Round 8: 10-9 Ngannou
They clinch and separate. Ngannou lets his hands go and lands a few hard punches on Fury, who returns with one good one of his own. That was a big exchange and Ngannou definitely got the best of it. Fury lands. Fury looks really tired. He’s engaging a lot of these clinches. The referee is having an increasingly difficult time separating these tired behemoths. Ngannou lands.
Total score: 76-75 Ngannou
Round 9: 10-9
Ngannou lands a hard left hand with the first punch he throws in the round. Fury throws a right and Ngannou counters. Fury stumbled but I think it was more of a balance thing. They clinch and separate. Fury bouncing around. Less movement from Ngannou. Fury lands a punch as Ngannou moves forward. They clinch and separate. Ngannou seems to signal that Fury hit him low, but the action continues. Fury jabs and jabs.
Total score: 85-85
Round 10: 10-9 Fury
These guys are exhausted. Some short shots are traded by both guys. Lots of feinting and jabbing, particularly from Fury. Ngannou pulls back on a combination. Fury throws a return punch. Ngannou tries a superman punch. It misses, but that awesome. The round ends. Wow. Win or lose, Ngannou just went the distance with the lineal heavyweight boxing champion in his pro debut.
MMA Junkie’s total score: 95-94 Fury
The final score
#FuryNgannou results: Tyson Fury def. Francis Ngannou via split decision (94-95, 96-93, 95-94)
Full coverage: https://t.co/xSWBNp0RIE pic.twitter.com/cvbWcckZUy
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) October 28, 2023