Deontay Wilder reveals plans to cross over to MMA and fight in the UFC before retiring… with Francis Ngannou revealing how the Bronze Bomber is already several months into training!
- Deontay Wilder is planning on crossing over to MMA and fighting in the UFC
- The American boxer has been honing his MMA skills for the last few months
- Anthony Joshua is the Emma Raducanu of boxing: Listen to why on The Hook
Deontay Wilder is planning on crossing over to MMA and fighting in the UFC before retiring from professional sport, according to Blue Blood Sports TV.
Wilder has been linked with MMA and more specifically Francis Ngannou ever since the the Cameroonian excelled in his boxing debut against Tyson Fury.
Fans have been hoping see Wilder and Ngannou sign a two-fight deal which would see them go toe-to-toe in both the ring and the octagon.
Although a deal with Ngannou has not yet been made, fans are feeling much more confident given Wilder has confirmed his interest in MMA.
Speaking to Blue Blood Sports TV, Wilder said: ‘I’m thinking about doing both, UFC and boxing. I’ll be a dangerous man in the UFC with 4oz gloves.
Deontay Wilder is planning on crossing over to MMA and fighting in the UFC before retiring
Wilder has been linked with MMA and more specifically Francis Ngannou ever since the the Cameroonian excelled in his boxing debut against Tyson Fury
Fans have been hoping see Wilder and Ngannou sign a two-fight deal which would see them go toe-to-toe in both the ring and octagon
‘I feel like picking up a big body and slamming him, then getting on top of him and beating the s*** out of him.’
Fans have taken to social media to share their excitement over Wilder’s decision. One fan wrote: ‘You have to respect him for crossing over! I can’t wait to watch him’.
While others have aired their concerns over Wilder’s lower body strength. One social media user said: ‘Not with them legs he won’t be. He will struggle crossing over the road let alone to MMA’.
The American heavyweight has not named Ngannou as an opponent, although fans are feeling confident the pair will agree terms at some point.
However, there is one potential stumbling block. Wilder refereed to fighting in the UFC rather than the PFL – which could be problematic for the pair.
Ngannou left the UFC in January 2022 citing issues with the companies culture, and not money, as the reason he decided not to renew his deal.
The 36-year-old said that he didn’t feel ‘free’ in the contract and butted heads with UFC executives over multiple requests including health insurance for fighters.
Therefore, it remains to be seen as to whether Ngannou and Wilder would actually face each other given the circumstances.
Ngannou revealed earlier this week that Wilder (above) has been undergoing MMA training sessions over the last couple of months to prepare for the transition
Nevertheless, Ngannou did make it clear he was interested in the two-fight deal and even revealed how Wilder has been ‘training MMA for the last few months’.
Ngannou revealed the fact Wilder has been taking part in MMA sessions while speaking to Ariel Helwani earlier this week.
‘That has been in the discussion,’ Ngannou told Helwani on Monday. ‘That’s something that can potentially happen.
‘Deontay Wilder for a couple of months, or a little while, has been training MMA because there’s an option here.
‘Nothing is set, but some things have been coming to my attention, so that’s something that makes sense.
‘He’s really serious about MMA. A lot of people talk – ‘I’m going to do this in boxing and do that in MMA’ – but Deontay Wilder is very interested in MMA, and even just to step in the cage for MMA and MMA only. It’s going to be hard. It’s going to be a different beast for him.’
However, some boxing fans will be disappointed as they want to see the American heavyweight (right) face Anthony Joshua (left) next
Wilder (pictured) took to Instagram to issue yet another call-out to Joshua last month
However, some boxing fans will be disappointed as they want to see the American heavyweight face Anthony Joshua next.
The two heavyweights have been tipped to share the boxing ring at some point in the near future, with a bout on the undercard of Fury v Oleksandr Usyk heavily suggested.
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While Joshua has admitted that a bout with Wilder could take place in the early stages of 2024, his promoter Eddie Hearn talked down the possibility of a bout with Wilder.
Nevertheless, the Bronze Bomber took to Instagram last month to beg Joshua to take the fight. He said: ‘I promise you guys I’ll be back very soon. It’s just sometimes, the business of boxing has to run its course and do what it does. I’ll be back very soon.
‘Another thing I want to address is a fight that everyone is looking forward to, and hopefully, it happens. I’m doing everything in my power to make it happen, and I’m referring to the Anthony Joshua fight.
‘Anthony, you’re hearing it from the horse’s mouth himself. I’m here, I’m ready to go. I heard some of the things about what your promoter [Eddie Hearn] said about my last fight [against Robert Helenius], which only lasted a short period of time and I haven’t fought in a year, and he doesn’t know if I want to fight or not.
‘I’m letting you know right now, right here, that I’m ready to fight and ready to get in that ring. Let’s make this the best time of our lives. This will be a major disaster if we never get in the ring and put our stamp down in history.
‘When people think about classic and great fights, I want them to think about us as well. To be able to do that, we got to get in the ring, and that’s what it’s all about. The silliest thing I’ve heard is people say that you’re not ready, and that’s the silliest thing.’
‘I don’t believe that. I believe you’re ready. I hope you’re ready, I think you’re ready. Let’s make this happen, me and you. Let’s make the history happen’.
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