Francis Ngannou has officially entered the world of boxing.
The former UFC champion, now ranked No. 10 in the WBC heavyweight rankings, experienced a split decision loss to Tyson Fury in his professional boxing debut last month.
The WBC revealed Ngannou’s new ranking through their social media accounts on Wednesday.
Contrary to many’s expectations, Ngannou knocked down and took Fury, who holds the WBC heavyweight title, the distance in their 10-round boxing bout in Saudi Arabia on Oct. 28. It was a non-title bout, with the WBC granting Fury a special permission for the fight.
Ngannou lost a split decision that night, but many observers believe Ngannou did enough to secure the victory. Ngannou got the only knockdown of the fight in Round 3 and also left Fury battered and bruised.
Ngannou declared his intention to continue boxing at an elite level after the fight, while also looking to continue his MMA career. His next move is yet to be determined, but he aims for a March return.
On the other hand, Fury is set to fight WBA, WBO, and IBF champion Oleksandr Usyk in an undisputed heavyweight bout in February.
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Sarah Foster is your guide to the world of Mixed Martial Arts. With a deep understanding of MMA’s intricacies and a passion for the sport, she offers comprehensive coverage of MMA events, fighter profiles, and in-depth analysis of fights. Sarah’s commitment to the octagon ensures that readers stay engaged with the latest developments in the MMA world.