Tyson Fury has more chance of beating Francis Ngannou in an MMA bout than the former heavyweight champion has of winning their boxing fight, claims Dan Hardy ahead of ‘Battle of the Baddest’
- Fury and Ngannou will go head-to-head in the latter’s first sanctioned pro bout
- They could face off in an MMA octagon, where Ngannou has shone in his career
- LISTEN: Exclusive Tyson Fury interview on THE HOOK – our new boxing podcast
Dan Hardy has insisted that Tyson Fury has a better chance of beating Francis Ngannou in MMA than the latter has at coming out victorious in the duo’s heavyweight boxing bout this evening.
Fury and Ngannou will go head-to-head in a battle being dubbed the ‘Battle of the Baddest’ in Saudi Arabia, in what will be the latter’s first officially sanctioned professional boxing bout.
Fury, widely regarded as one of the best heavyweights of all time, is heavy favourite for the fight as he enters the world of crossover boxing against the former MMA star.
There have been no talks of a potential rematch in an MMA octagon, where Ngannou has been so successful throughout his career as a brutal heavyweight, but a future bout has not been ruled out.
Hardy admitted he feels Ngannou does have a chance in the boxing ring, but that Fury would be able to get into shape to be competitive if given enough notice for an MMA fight.
Dan Hardy has insisted that Tyson Fury (pictured) has more chance of beating Franics Ngannou in MMA than the latter has of winning their boxing bout
Fury will go head-to-head with Ngannou (right) in the ‘Battle of the Baddest; in Riyadh tonight
Hardy (pictured) said Fury would be able to make himself competitive in six months if he trained for MMA competition
’One thing I would say in Tyson’s defence,’ he said. ‘I think he has a better chance of beating Ngannou in MMA than Ngannou has at beating him in the boxing ring.
’Ngannou has a chance in this fight but given six months TF would adapt his skillset to the point where he would be a contender in the heavyweight division.’
Hardy made the calls despite a harsh analysis of Fury’s currently potential abilities and the state of his legs, with more varieties of attack allowed in MMA compared to boxing.
Hardy pointed to Fury’s legs as a reason for why he may struggle in MMA if he were to make the jump to the sport
Ngannou was a deadly heavyweight before departing the UFC and entering the boxing world
Hardy, a former MMA fighter himself, insisted an MMA bout would be light for for Ngannou if the two were to do battle soon.
’I look at Tyson Fury’s legs and I think Tyson can’t take a leg kick,’ he said. ‘Francis Ngannou would probably cut him down like a tree with one or two leg kicks.
’And then you have to think of the wrestling. Ngannou is going to be grappling him against the fence, dragging him to the floor.
’And then you have to deal with heavyweight punches on the ground and elbows. It would be a very different fight.’
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