Deontay Wilder reveals plans to switch to MMA and fight in the UFC before retiring… with Francis Ngannou revealing how the Bronze Bomber has been in training for several months!
According to Blue Blood Sports TV, Deontay Wilder plans to switch to MMA and fight in the UFC before retiring from professional sports.
Wilder has been linked with MMA and more specifically Francis Ngannou since the Cameroonian excelled in his boxing debut against Tyson Fury.
Fans were hoping that Wilder and Ngannou would sign a two-fight deal, which would see them face off against each other in both the ring and the octagon.
Although a deal has not yet been finalized with Ngannou, fans are much more confident now that Wilder has confirmed his interest in MMA.
Speak with 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 plans to switch to MMA and fight in the UFC before he retires
Wilder has been linked with MMA and more specifically Francis Ngannou since the Cameroonian excelled in his boxing debut against Tyson Fury
Fans were hoping that Wilder and Ngannou would sign a two-fight deal, which would see them face off against each other in both the ring and the octagon
“I feel like picking up a big body and punching him, then getting on top of him and smashing 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 see him’.
While others have expressed concerns about Wilder’s lower body strength. One social media user said: ‘That won’t be him with those legs. He will struggle to cross the road, let alone get to MMA’.
The American heavyweight has not named Ngannou as an opponent, although fans are confident the pair will agree terms at some point.
However, there is one potential stumbling block. Wilder referred to fighting in the UFC instead of the PFL – which could be problematic for the pair.
Ngannou left the UFC in January 2022, citing issues with the company’s culture, not money, as the reason he decided not to renew his deal.
The 37-year-old said he did not feel “free” in the contract and clashed with UFC executives over multiple requests, including health insurance for fighters.
Therefore, it remains to be seen 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 in recent months to prepare for the transition
Nevertheless, Ngannou made it clear that he was interested in the two-fight deal and even revealed how Wilder has been “training MMA in recent months.”
Ngannou revealed the fact that Wilder has taken part in MMA sessions when he spoke to Ariel Helwani earlier this week.
“That has been up for discussion,” Ngannou told Helwani on Monday. ‘That’s something that could potentially happen.
“Deontay Wilder has been training MMA for a few months, or a while, because there is an option here.
‘Nothing is set in stone, but some things have come to my attention, so that makes sense.
“He’s very 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 getting in the cage for MMA and MMA. It’s going to be difficult. It’s going to be a whole different animal for him.”
However, some boxing fans may be disappointed as they want to see the American heavyweight (right) face Anthony Joshua (left) next.
Wilder (pictured) took to Instagram last month to make another appeal to Joshua
However, some boxing fans will be disappointed as they want to see American heavyweight Anthony Joshua next.
The two heavyweights have been tipped to share the boxing ring at some point in the near future, with a fight on the undercard of Fury against Oleksandr Usyk strongly suggested.
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While Joshua has admitted a fight with Wilder could happen in the early stages of 2024, his promoter Eddie Hearn has spoken about the possibility of a fight with Wilder.
Nevertheless, the Bronze Bomber took to Instagram last month to plead with Joshua to take the fight. He said, ‘I promise you that I will be back very soon. It’s just sometimes boxing has to take its course and do what it does. I’ll be back soon.
“Another thing I want to talk about 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 fight with Anthony Joshua.
‘Anthony, you hear it from the horse’s own mouth. I’m here, I’m ready to go. I’ve heard some 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 it the best time of our lives. This will be a major disaster if we never step into the ring and make our mark on history.
“When people think of classic and great fights, I want them to think of us too. In order to do that, we have to get in the ring, and that’s what it’s all about. The dumbest thing I’ve heard is people saying you’re not ready, and that’s the dumbest thing.’
‘I do not believe that. I believe you are ready. I hope you’re ready, I think you’re ready. Let’s make this happen, you and me. Let’s make history happen’.
