- Tyson Fury maintained his unbeaten run as he defeated Ngannou via split decision
- Fans were unhappy with the decision and claimed the MMA fighter was ‘robbed’
- Recap of all the action from Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou here
Former UFC champion Francis Ngannou’s strong performance in the ring against Tyson Fury was not enough to earn a victory.
The decision was met with boos around Boulevard Hall in Riyadh when it was announced that the UFC fighter had lost.
Fans took to social media to express their shock at the jury’s decision, with one writing that Ngannou had been ‘robbed’.
The MMA fighter narrowly lost by split decision, despite knocking out the Gypsy King in the third round.
After the right, Fury said it was “one of the toughest fights I’ve had in the last ten years.”
Fury was knocked down in round three after Ngannou landed a punch that sent him to the ground
Fury was announced during the winner of the heavyweight fight against Francis Ngannou
Fans were furious when Fury was announced as the winner, claiming the result was ‘face saving’
Oleksandr Usyk looks on ahead of the fight between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou
Francis Ngannou struck early in his fight against Tyson Fury, knocking the WBC heavyweight champion to the canvas during the third round of their highly anticipated fight.
Despite winning via split decision, the Gypsy King found himself in trouble after attempting to land a right hand on the MMA heavyweight, with Ngannou catching him with a huge left hook to the temple.
The 35-year-old dropped to the canvas and took a moment to recover before getting up with seconds left in the round.
Fans shared their thoughts online, with one claiming it was a ‘daylight robbery’ for Ngannou, and others saying the Cameroonian national had been ‘robbed’.
Another added: ‘(Oleksandr) Usyk would absolutely destroy Tyson Fury if he fought anything like he did tonight.
‘Absolute travesty, I love Tyson Fury but he’s never won that one.’ A fourth wrote.
After a brilliant effort from Ngannou through all ten rounds, Fury paid him respect in his post-fight interview.
He called Ngannou “a great fighter” and admitted it was one of his toughest fights of the past decade.
‘That was absolutely not in the script. Francis is a great fighter, a strong, great puncher.
Tyson Fury praised Ngannou in his post-fight interview for his strength and as a ‘big puncher’
Fury bounced back by throwing a few punches and ultimately won the fight
When he was knocked down in the third round, Fury said: “I got grabbed on the back of my head. I wasn’t injured. I got up and started boxing again.’
The fight was hotly contested, with fans calling for Ngannou to take up boxing after he impressed fans in his first ever professional boxing match.
Fury maintained his undefeated streak, with the jury declaring this by split decision. One gave it to Francis Ngannou 95-94, one 96-93 to Fury, and the deciding judge gave it 95-94 to Fury.
The calls for Fury to face Oleksandr Usyk grew louder as the Ukrainian boxer watched from ringside.