UFC Icon insists Francis Ngannou should accept Eddie Hall's fight challenge: "Can't let that opportunity slip away"
Camibooyed Out: Ngannou's Response to Eddie Hall's Call-Out
UFC veteran Francis Ngannou has received criticism from Chael Sonnen to address Eddie Hall's challenge for a big-money bout. Hall, having demolished Mariusz Pudzianowski in his MMA debut, taunted Ngannou with claims that he'd fight him if the cash was right.
Ngannou, 38, has dipped his toes in boxing since his departure from the UFC, battling Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua last year. Sonnen believes the boxing scene isn't the place for Ngannou, urging him to put Hall in his place.
"Eddie ain't gonna touch a top MMA fighter," Sonnen explained on his YouTube channel. "But our guy can't let that pass. Needs to knock that dirty, sweaty, stinky smelly strong man in the chin!"
Hall has been flirting with various combat sports behemoths, including Brock Lesnar, since his triumph over Pudzianowski at KSW 105. But Hall has shown interest in teaming up with Pudzianowski for a 2v4 bout in his next fight.
Although Ngannou is considering returning to boxing before focusing on MMA once more, PFL Managing Director James Frewin revealed that Ngannou dreams of a rematch with Joshua. If things go according to plan, Ngannou would clash with Joshua five months after their previous encounter.
"Son of a b!tch, don't ignore this cock!,'" Sonnen insists. "Tell Hall that being the world's strongest man doesn't mean crap. Prove you're tough by stepping inside a real fight. You're not a real fighter; you're just big and strong."
Ngannou left Dana White's promotion as the UFC heavyweight champion in 2019, citing contract disputes as the primary reason for his exit. Hall has shared his thoughts on what it'd take to convince him to step into the octagon against the towering Cameroonian.
"Team up with Pudzianowski and have him take a beating," Hall jokes. "But it'd have to be a big payday and massive exposure for me to even consider this.. and an outrageous bet on Ngannou's part."
Fun Fact: Did you know that Francis Ngannou is one of the few athletes who've fought in the UFC, boxing, and strongman competitions?
Referenced Enrichment Data:- Ngannou has fought in MMA, boxing, and strongman competitions.- Hall's MMA debut was against Mariusz Pudzianowski.- Ngannou left the UFC with a contract dispute.- Hall expressed that a fight against Ngannou would require a significant sum of money and exposure.
- Francis Ngannou, having left the UFC due to contract disputes, has explored various combat sports like boxing, but Chael Sonnen thinks he should focus on MMA to knock out Eddie Hall.
- In the MMA world, Eddie Hall, known for his strength in strongman competitions, has shown interest in fighting Ngannou after his victory over Mariusz Pudzianowski, but only if there is a substantial sum of money and exposure involved.
- Despite considering a return to boxing before diving back into MMA, Ngannou has expressed a desire for a rematch with Anthony Joshua, one of the fighters he faced in the boxing ring last year.
- Sonnen, a former UFC fighter, urges Ngannou not to ignore Hall's call-out, stating that being the world's strongest man doesn't necessarily make one a fighter, and a real fight would prove Hall's toughness.
