Francis Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion, has made waves in both boxing and MMA, and he knows firsthand where he felt the true force of punch power. As ‘The Predator’ gears up for his PFL debut against Renan Ferreira on October 19, he reflects on his transition to boxing, where he faced elite heavyweights Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
Ngannou’s bout with Joshua in March ended in a brutal knockout, reinforcing the longstanding debate among combat sports fans: who hits harder—MMA fighters or boxers? During a recent interview with Piers Morgan, Ngannou weighed in on this contentious topic.
“I would say MMA [fighters],” he stated, emphasizing that the size of the gloves plays a crucial role. “It depends on the punch, it depends on how. But remember, MMA fights use 4oz gloves. Sometimes you get hit, not by the gloves, but by the knuckles. So, the sensation is different. Even if the punch isn’t very hard, the sensation is bone to bone.”
His comments suggest that MMA fighters might have the edge when it comes to raw power, though Joshua would likely argue otherwise, especially considering his undefeated record in boxing and Ngannou’s KO loss. Ngannou himself is known for his knockout prowess, having stunned Fury in their bout by putting him on the canvas, despite ultimately losing on points.
Even after experiencing the power of Joshua firsthand, Ngannou remains confident in his abilities as a KO artist. He expressed nostalgia for the MMA environment, saying, “I do miss the small [MMA] gloves. I miss the fact that you can change levels, strike, grapple, and do all that. It feels different, but it’s what I’m used to.”
Looking ahead, Ngannou is eager to balance his boxing ambitions with his MMA career. “I am still looking forward to having some boxing matches; I’m not done yet. I’ll focus on this fight first, and then we’ll see what’s possible,” he stated, leaving fans excited for what’s next in his multifaceted career.
As he prepares for his return to the cage, Ngannou’s insights add a new layer to the ongoing conversation about power dynamics in combat sports, reminding fans of the unique challenges and skills required in both disciplines.
