UFC icon Demetrious Johnson has made a stunning claim that Anthony Joshua could beat Francis Ngannou in a mixed martial arts match.

AJ possibly ended the former UFC heavyweight champion’s foray into boxing last week with a brutal knockout in their crossover clash in Saudi Arabia.

4

4

4

It took the Watford warrior less than two rounds to separate the MMA superstar from consciousness in their lucrative Riyadh rumble.

And after seeing the way he dismissed Ngannou, Johnson believes Joshua could have the same success in the cage – provided The Predator tries to stick with him alone again.

The former long-reigning UFC flyweight king said YouTube channel: “Will Anthony Joshua beat Francis Ngannou in an MMA fight? I think so.

“It would just be another eye-catching match. AJ understands his distance. He understands the emptiness.

“He has better hands than Francis, and he can even make Francis smell and miss again.

Unless Francis is going to change his tactics and start grabbing and wrestling him. But AJ is very athletic.

“He’s smaller and more agile. I think he could fill the shot and give it to Francis Ngannou.”

Ngannou, 37, starred in his professional boxing debut against WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury last October.

BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS

The Cameroonian clubber cut and dropped The Gypsy King in the third round of their match, which he lost via split decision.

Johnson, like many others, was impressed by Ngannou’s performance on the night but believes he showed all his cards against the Brit.

He said: “Another thing that could have been Francis’ downfall was that he had that boxing match with Tyson Fury.

“So Anthony Joshua got the chance to see Francis fight boxing.

“What did he take away from the Francis-Tyson boxing match? He probably said, ‘Okay, Francis isn’t moving his head.’

‘He doesn’t really move his head. He’s not very light on his feet’, where Tyson Fury is a little light on his feet and Tyson tries to avoid the fight.

“This time Anthony Joshua went straight to work, and that’s usually not a good sign if the other opponent doesn’t respond.”

Ngannou is a devastated and forlorn figure after the loss, but is convinced his journey is far from over.

He told SecondsOut: “Absolutely [I still plan to box].

“Right now I feel like I have an obligation to keep going because I’m owed something now.

“I think boxing owes me now and I really intend to collect.”

4

FRANCIS NGANNOU will return to the cage THIS YEAR depending on how his mega-money business in the boxing ring plays out.

The ex-UFC champion put his cage career on hold last year to make the transition to the boxing ring.

2

But he did so after signing for UFC’s rivals, the Professional Fighters League, which gave Ngannou the green light to box.

The Cameroonian will take on Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia tomorrow night, just five months after making his ring debut against Tyson Fury.

And during training in Riyadh, he watched from ringside as Renan Ferreira knocked out Ryan Bader.

It earned Ferreira the right to welcome Ngannou back into the fold at the PFL once he is done with British superstar AJ.

PFL founder Donn Davis told SunSport: “Francis is our partner, we always work around his schedule.

“He wants to be the Bo Jackson of martial arts; champion in boxing, champion in MMA, so we will work with his schedule.

“It could go sooner, it could go later, but he will have to deal with ‘La Problema,’ who destroyed Bader, a smart Bellator veteran.

“I destroyed him in 21 seconds and in eight seconds he was completely destroyed. That’s the next fight for Francis, whether it’s in the summer or at the end of the year.

ANTHONY JOSHUA VS FRANCIS NGANNOU: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED FOR A HUGE CROSSOVER CASE

CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS

“We will work with that boxing schedule, with what happens in 48 hours when he will probably knock Joshua out.”

Ngannou, 37, dropped Fury, 35, in his boxing debut but suffered a controversial split-decision loss.

Fury now faces Oleksandr Usyk, 37, for the undisputed crown on May 18, after withdrawing from the original February 17 date with a cut.

The winner between Joshua, 34, and Ngannou, 37, has promised a shot at the unified champion.

But whatever the results in the ring, Ngannou WILL be back in the cage within a year.

Davis added: “If not this year, then two months later. We call it February 2025.

“Over the next twelve months, Francis is 100 percent a PFL cager fighting Ferreira.”

2

Flyweight fighter Matt Schnell will face Steve Erceg in the opening bout of UFC Vegas 87 Main Card.

New Delhi: Flyweight fighter Matt Schnell is set to make his highly anticipated return to the octagon at the upcoming UFC Fight Night event headlined by the fight between Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Shamil Gaziev on Saturday at the UFC Apex arena in Las Vegas, Nevada in the United States.

Schnell is one of the veterans in the UFC Flyweight division and ahead of his upcoming fight against Steve Erceg in the opening fight of the UFC Vegas 82 Main Card, he expressed his love for the Indian fan community and wished for MMA to become truly successful in India. .

“I’m really flattered. I would like to say to all my Indian fans, please contact me. Come and comment on my stuff. I’ll talk back. I appreciate you all. I hope MMA explodes in India. And it would be such a wonderful thing too. I know there are some Indian guys who are already making some noise. And I look forward to seeing more. I love it,” said Matt Schnell in an exclusive conversation with India.com.

Schnell returns to the cage for the first time since December 2022. He was supposed to fight Erceg in November last year, but unfortunately had to withdraw due to an infection in his lower back. During his conversation with India.com, he also spoke about his release from the cage and his back infection.

“I think it (fight layoffs) can affect people. I did train hard. I have been training hard ever since. It’s not like I was waiting on the couch. I’ve been trying to hone my craft and sharpen the blade. The last fight, I can’t remember the exact date but we were close and I got an infection in my lower back,” Schnell told India.com.

“It was just the result of cage wrestling, which is something we do all the time. Normally with that kind of thing you get a little scrape, it heals. I’ve been fighting for fifteen years now. This is my first time dealing with something like this. It just progressed. It became infected with the way it was. It progressed very quickly and it was wild. Yes, one day it was just a little, the next day it was MRSA. I have prepared everything. I did the whole camp. I was ready to go. And that’s exactly how it went. That’s how it worked out,” he added.

This will be Schnell’s 10th fight in the UFC Flyweight division and the fighter is loved by fight fans around the world for his action-packed and entertaining fights. Fans should expect a similar fight as Schnell prepares to take on Erceg in an attempt to get back into the win column and move up the rankings.

RENAN FERREIRA sent a brutal message to Francis Ngannou after his stunning 20-SECOND knockout of Ryan Bader.

The Professional Fighters League champion headed against Bellator star Ryan Bader in Saudi Arabia.

1

And not only would the winner leave Riyadh with bragging rights and a championship title, but also a life-changing match against Ngannou.

The PFL announced that the winner would be the man who would welcome Ngannou into the MMA cage.

And Ferreira made short work of Bader after dropping the former UFC contender with a right hand in the opening stages.

It didn’t take long for the referee to intervene as the gigantic 6-foot-4 Brazilian reined in brutal attacks.

Ngannou sat next to Mike Tyson in the cage and watched as Ferreira called him out after his KO of the night.

He said, “I’m the record breaker, I’m the record setter. Francis, where are you? I’m waiting, let’s do this. I’m the champion here.”

Ngannou, 37, left the UFC last year to sign for rivals PFL, who allowed him to take up boxing in addition to his MMA commitments.

He faced Tyson Fury, 35, in his boxing debut and stunningly dropped the Gypsy King but lost a controversial split decision.

CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS

Now Ngannou returns to Saudi Arabia on March 8 against 34-year-old Anthony Joshua.

But the PFL has already confirmed that he will fight Ferreira by the time he makes his MMA comeback.

And when Ngannou entered into talks to sign with the PFL, he negotiated that his next opponent in the cage should be paid $2 million.

So Ferreira – who won the PFL’s $1 million season last year – appears to be in line for another healthy payday when Ngannou trades the ring for the cage.

JON JONES gave his shocked support to Francis Ngannou but is still backing Anthony Joshua to beat his MMA rival.

Ngannou faces AJ in Saudi Arabia on March 8, after making his professional boxing debut against Tyson Fury in October.

2

2

The Cameroonian made the switch to boxing after quitting the UFC and receiving a $10 million (£8 million) offer to fight Jones.

Instead, he signed for the Professional Fighters League, which gave Ngannou the freedom he always wanted from boxing.

Jones joined the heavyweight cage in Riyadh for the PFL vs Bellator event and he was examined during the boxing fight with AJ.

And Jones replied, “I’m rooting for Francis to win just because of his story, how far he’s come in life and as a fellow mixed martial artist.

“So I support Francis, but Anthony Joshua has been doing this since he was a young boy and I’m the type of guy who just gives respect where it’s due.

“So if I were to put my money on it – not that I’m betting – I’d put it on Anthony Joshua, but I support Francis.”

Ngannou, 37, stunningly dropped Fury, 35, but still suffered a controversial split-decision loss.

Although the performance was enough to put Joshua, 34, on the table for another big crossover clash in the desert.

CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS

Meanwhile, Jones, 36, is dealing with a chest injury that forced him out of his UFC title fight against Stipe Miocic, 41, in November.

He has since been called up by interim champion and British star Tom Aspinall, 30, with the PFL open to a cross-promotion to fight Ngannou.

But Jones said diplomatically, “I feel like there are a lot of fights that the world is longing for right now.

“The fight with Tom Aspinall is still huge, Francis Ngannou and I would be huge.

“And Stipe, for the hardcore fans, he’s still a respectable opponent. I don’t know how the cards will fall.

“My prediction is that I would beat Stipe Miocic, my prediction is that I would beat Tom Aspinall and Francis Ngannou.

“The way it unfolds is really none of my business. My job is to always do what I’ve done from day one.”

THE sparring partner who cut Tyson Fury and postponed his uncontested showdown with Oleksandr Usyk has broken his silence.

The biggest heavyweight fight in more than a quarter of a century was postponed this week after Fury suffered a horror cut during one of his final sparring sessions.

7

7

7

7

Fury, 35, had scar tissue left over from the nasty cut he suffered during his 2019 Las Vegas showdown with Swedish slugger Otto Wallin reopened in the ill-fated spar.

Footage of the incident showed that an accidental elbow was the cause of the costly cut, which required as many as 15 stitches.

But the man responsible for postponing the first-ever undisputed heavyweight showdown of the four-belt era has no regrets about his actions.

Multiple sources have confirmed to SunSport that Croatian heavyweight Agron Smakici was the sparring partner who finished Fury.

But the 6ft tall giant – who is also a mixed martial artist – insists it was his left hand, not his left elbow, that cut the forehead of Fury's eye.

According to Boxing ConversationSmakici said of the incident: “It was a clear blow, so I don't feel bad.”

Smakici was a recent addition to Fury's roster of sparring partners, which initially included former IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia and undefeated British heavyweight Moses Itauma.

His joining the camp was no surprise given his experience sparring with top heavyweights, including Fury's British rival Anthony Joshua.

CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS

7

7

The slick southpaw was recently called up by Team AJ to help the former two-time unified heavyweight champion prepare for his 'Day of Reckoning' clash with Wallin.

And he was also one of Joshua's main sparring partners for his rematch with Usyk in August 2022.

Smakici, 33, posted a series of photos of himself and AJ to his Instagram prior to the fight with the accompanying caption: “Helping AJ for next one fight.”

WBC heavyweight champion Fury needs at least “90 DAYS“to recover from the horror cut before he can resume full sparring.

His cutman Jorge Capetillo told Betway: “I would say it will take at least 90 days to recover from a sparring cutback.

“Hopefully the fight can take place in the summer because it's such a shame news.

“The cut has to heal really well and then Tyson can get back into action, back into training and back into camp, so it will definitely take a few more months.

“Accidents can happen in sparring, and this is what happened to Tyson, so he will need time to heal.

“It will now reopen during the fight if they push the fight, so now he needs a timeout to make sure it doesn't open with a first punch from Oleksandr Usyk.

“Obviously during camp sparring sessions, when you're getting ready for a fight of this caliber, it means bringing the best sparring partners you can and working hard while sparring, but sometimes it's very tough and things like this can happen .

“We always try to avoid that and make sure the fighter has a healthy camp, but this is part of the game.

“This is a fight that requires the best of the best, with the best sparring partners.

7

“If a cut happens from a punch, the opponent could get a TKO if the fight is stopped, so all those kinds of things are important to take precautions.

“I know how hard Tyson worked for this fight. His work ethic, his discipline, he worked really hard as always and was so hungry for this fight.

“But these things happen and cuts happen.”

Uysk, 37, has yet to break his silence on the postponement of the biggest fight of his career but is still training to fight on February 17.

But his manager has sensationally claimed Fury was deliberately injured so he could pull out of the fight.

Egis Klimas told Ring Magazine: “Fury is a coward who will do anything not to face Usyk.

“And he asked his bitch to hit him in the forehead with a frying pan.

“You can quote me word for word for that.”

By Tamara Prenn for Mailonline

Published: 02:53 EST, December 23, 2023 | Updated: 03:41 EST, December 23, 2023

• Brendan Fevola got beat up in his first MMA fight
• The football legend took on Tony ‘The Tradie’ Ciccone
• He said he needs to improve his fitness

By Ollie Lewis for Daily Mail Australia

Published: 05:45 EST, November 20, 2023 | Updated: 3:39 PM EST, November 20, 2023

Embattled MMA star Conor McGregor broke cover to sign autographs on the streets of Manhattan just days after being accused of sexual assault. 

McGregor, 34, was quickly mobbed by fans as he stepped out from ritzy New York City hotel The Peninsula on Saturday. 

He appeared to be heading to a children’s birthday party, as he was flanked by his security holding superhero-themed gifts and balloons.

McGregor wore an all-white ensemble for his weekend jaunt, pairing what appeared to be a $2,500 Gucci polo with matching shorts worth $1,800. 

Hours after his jaunt around the Big Apple, the fighter was seen returning to his hotel, where he again stopped to sign autographs for his followers. 

He appeared to become irate when one fan made an inaudible remark, sending him inside with several bodyguards in tow. 

While the former MMA champion was seen with his usual posse of friends and security guards, there was no sign of his fiancée Dee Devlin, who recently announced she is pregnant with the couple’s fourth child. 

McGregor went to ground in recent days after he was accused of sexually assaulting a woman in the VIP bathroom at an NBA finals game. 

The woman met McGregor at the game at the Kaseya Center and was leaving the arena, when she claims his security told her he was asking for her in the bathroom.

Once inside the bathroom, she claims he forced her to perform oral sex on him, spat on her, and forcibly kissed her.

The accusation is not the first to be levied against the fighter. In 2019, the New York Times reported that McGregor was under investigation by Irish police over allegations he sexually assaulted a woman in a Dublin hotel in December 2018.

Soon after, a second allegation arose that he assaulted a woman in a car earlier that month. He denied the allegations. 

His accuser claims McGregor spat on her and on himself while trying to arouse himself. The woman’s attorney tells DailyMail.com she went to police on Sunday to report the incident but was turned away and advised to hire legal help.

Days later, she handed over the clothes she was wearing at the time, claiming they prove he ‘spat’ on her during the alleged ordeal. 

McGregor denies the allegations. ‘These allegations are false. Mr. McGregor will not be intimidated,’ his attorney said in a statement.

In striking new footage, his accuser is seen sitting next to the MMA fighter inside the club minutes after she claims the sexual assault occurred. 

The pair can be seen holding drinks when the woman gestures. McGregor then says something inaudible before walking away.

The footage, obtained by TMZ Sports, was shot at about 12:40am on June 10 inside the Kaseya Center in Miami – about half an hour after the woman was seen being led into a bathroom by McGregor.

According to the woman’s attorney, Ariel Mitchell, the video shows her client and McGregor were ‘visibly awkwardly interacting with each other.’

She claims that this was a stark contrast to how they were interacting prior to the bathroom encounter.

‘My client has always stated that there would be video of before and after, and in those videos she emphasized that the difference in the interactions between them would be visibly noticeable,’ Mitchell said in a statement to TMZ Sports.

This again is another video that supports what my client has been saying and supports what she told the police since the inception of this incident.’

McGregor has vehemently denied the allegation – his attorney saying that the clip further proving the claims are false.

‘While the claimant’s story has changed yet again our account of the evening has never changed,’ Barbara R. Llanes said in a statement.

‘This video only reinforces our position. We look forward to the swift conclusion of the investigation.’

The accuser’s attorney says she met McGregor at the NBA Finals game the night of the incident. He had been invited by the NBA and shocked fans by knocking out mascot Burnie, who had to be hospitalized. 

According to the legal demand letters issued to not just McGregor’s attorney but also the Heat and the stadium, the woman was on her way out of the building when McGregor’s security summoned her to the VIP men’s restroom.

‘After the game, and after Mr. McGregor sent the Miami Heat mascot Burnie to the hospital, Mr. McGregor elevated his aggressive, unprovoked, and outrageous behavior by violently sexually assaulting and battering this firm’s client in the men’s bathroom of the Kaseya Center.

‘Mr. McGregor, aided and abetted by the NBA and Miami Heat Kaseya security, had the victim physically forced via security into the men’s bathroom, separating her from her friend and trapping her inside with Mr. McGregor and his security guard.

‘Once isolated and trapped in the VIP men’s bathroom at the Kaseya Center, security refused to let her exit or allow anyone else, including her friend, inside the bathroom.

‘Mr. McGregor then appeared from inside the handicapped stall and shoved his tongue in the victim’s mouth and aggressively kissed her,’ according to the legal letter.

The woman’s attorney says she then told him she needed to use the bathroom.

While she was in the stall, she says McGregor ‘pulled out his penis and shoved it down the throat of the victim’.

She claims she was able to get him off her, but says he then spat on her and on himself ‘in a desperate attempt to get his flaccid penis hard.’

She claims she then tried to flee, but says McGregor ‘aggressively grabbed her, pinned her up against the wall’ and tried to anally rape her.

‘Fortunately, Mr. McGregor’s penis was too limp for complete penetration, and the victim continuously elbowed Mr. McGregor and finally escaped,’ according to the letter.

The claims have surfaced less than 24 hours after it emerged McGregor and his fiancée Dee Devlin are expecting their fourth child.

McGregor and Devlin already have three children; Conor Jr., Croia Mairhead and Rian — aged six, four and two, respectively.

‘Things are going well,’ McGregor said of his family life.

‘We’ve also got another on the way. There’s a lot going on,’ he said during a TV appearance in Ireland.

In statement about the allegations, the Heat said: ‘We are aware of the allegations and are conducting a full investigation. Pending the outcome of the investigation, we will withhold further comment.’

The UFC said: ‘The organization is aware of the recent allegations regarding Conor McGregor and will continue to gather additional details regarding the incident.

‘UFC will allow the legal process to play out before making any additional statements.’