Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya backs Francis Ngannou to beat former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder.
Ngannou is rumoured to be planning a return to the sweet science at some point this year, along with an MMA fight.
The ‘Predator’s’ last combat sports outing came in October when he beat Renan Ferreira to become the PFL’s Super Fights heavyweight champion following a knockout loss to Anthony Joshua seven months prior.
Ngannou has been frequently linked with a showdown against Wilder, however, there are questions as to whether the ‘Bronze Bomber’ is planning to continue boxing after back-to-back losses to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang.
If Ngannou and Wilder were to meet inside the boxing ring, Adesanya is backing the former UFC heavyweight champion to get the win and also questioned Wilder’s mentality.
“Francis Ngannou and Deontay Wilder certainly still have the tools to be in the ring together,” Adesanya told Stake.com.
How Osun Monarch Performed Traditional ‘Lapping’ of Owa Obokun-elect
Trump Stops HIV Funding For Nigeria, Others
“This is the first time I am hearing about this. People forget in this TikTok generation who Deontay Wilder is – who has one of the highest finishing rates in heavyweight boxing history and Francis Ngannou also became a star in the boxing world in just two fights.
“I would back my boy Francis to win this fight. It also depends where Deontay is at mentally.
“In one of his last interviews he spoke about going to the jungle and doing Ayahuasca so who knows where he is at. For me, It’s going to be Francis who wins this fight. I admire his story and his rise against all odds. I will always back him. I haven’t heard about this fight, but it’s an interesting one to have.”
Adesanya was speaking ahead of his UFC return on Saturday when he takes on Nassourdine Imavov in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia which will be broadcast live on ESPN+ in the US.