RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Francis Ngannou put on a better showing than most of the combat sports world thought he would in his boxing debut – and a far better one, at that.
Ngannou dropped a close split decision to WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury on Saturday in Saudi Arabia. Ngannou’s first pro boxing match came on the heels of his departure from the UFC over a contract dispute while still its heavyweight champion.
Ngannou wanted the ability to box, which the UFC historically has been opposed to letting fighters do while under contract – except Conor McGregor in 2017 against Floyd Mayweather. Ngannou has a new MMA deal with the PFL that allows him to box.
