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5h ago

Coach Says Francis Ngannou Is Putting MMA on Hold to Pursue Boxing, Targeting Wilder

Conflicting signals over Deontay Wilder talks and a sparse MMA schedule point to a continued shift away from the cage.

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Overview

  • Head coach Eric Nicksick says Ngannou has shifted his focus to boxing and has not outlined substantive plans for an MMA return, noting he will meet him in Paris next week to discuss next steps.
  • Ngannou told Ariel Helwani he wants to box Deontay Wilder and that his team is “setting some things up,” while acknowledging they have not engaged personally yet.
  • Representatives for Wilder have said there have been no talks, and manager Shelly Finkel told Sky Sports he is open to the matchup next year but not in 2025, according to LowKickMMA.
  • Ngannou has competed in MMA only once since early 2022 and captured the PFL Super Fights heavyweight title in October 2024, with his coach expecting the cage inactivity to continue for now.
  • His professional boxing record stands at 0-2 after a narrow decision loss to Tyson Fury and a knockout by Anthony Joshua, and his MMA record is 18-3.