Francis Ngannou insists boxers ‘cannot mess with him’ in the octagon as he calls out heavyweight star Anthony Joshua for mixed rules fight

Francis Ngannou has challenged Anthony Joshua to a mixed rules MMA fight as the former UFC champion focuses on more fights against the very best heavyweight boxers.

He recently made his boing debut when he took on world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in a mega-bout in Saudi Arabia and now looks to continue fighting the biggest names in boxing's heavyweight division.

Former titleholder Joshua is the latest big name to be mentioned by Ngannou – who lost to Fury via split decision – while he has also mentioned Deontay Wilder as another potential opponent.

Ngannou recently confirmed that 'discussions' were underway with Wilder's camp over a potential mixed rules fight that could take place inside the octagon.

Joshua is currently preparing for his upcoming heavyweight fight against Otto Wallin, with Wilder set to fight Wilder next if he wins that fight. However, a huge payday in the fight against Ngannou could be a tempting distraction.

Francis Ngannou has challenged Anthony Joshua to a mixed rules MMA fight

Joshua is currently training for his upcoming heavyweight boxing match against Otto Wallin

Speaking about his ambitions to take on Joshua, Ngannou told the newspaper Club Shay Shay podcast: 'Anything he wants. Ring or octagon. The great thing is that I'm the one who can go anywhere comfortably.

“My comfort zone will be the octagon, but I'm going to go to the ring and put them in a bad spot in the ring.”

“I have my territory (in MMA) where they can't mess with me. When they come, they need something like a favor, like, “I'll give you this, we'll get a kick out of it.”

Ngannou previously defeated world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in his professional boxing debut

Ngannou is keen to continue fighting heavyweight boxers after impressing against Fury

“I have to give him something, but when we get in the ring, they don't give me anything and I still get them in trouble,” he added.

The call for Joshua to cross over to Ngannou's better-known octagon comes unexpectedly, with the Englishman fully focused on regaining the world heavyweight title.

But Ngannou is not shy of confidence as he further added: “Even Tyson Fury said the same thing and Tyson Fury is better than Anthony Joshua,” Ngannou added.

'What do I care what people say? I've been playing this game for so long. I've seen so much. I've heard so much about what people are planning to do. There is a difference between wanting to do and being able to do it.'