Tyson Fury on different level for everyone, says Khabib who thinks Oleksandr Usyk is his biggest threat rather than Anthony Joshua or Dillian Whyte, while urging Francis Ngannou to stay in UFC
Khabib Nurmagomedov thinks Oleksandr Usyk is the biggest challenge for Tyson Fury and says Francis Ngannou “must” consider leaving the UFC.
The former lightweight world champion now leads his own promotion, Eagle FC, after a hugely successful career inside the octagon.
Having never tasted defeat and beaten the best in the world like Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje before hanging up the gloves, Khabib is revered in the MMA world and beyond.
Although the 32-year-old is a wrestler by trade, he is also a boxing enthusiast thanks to Mike Tyson and has kept a close eye on the heavyweight scene as a fan.
‘The Gypsy King’ is the defending WBC and Ring Magazine heavyweight champion after back-to-back knockout defeats to Deontay Wilder, with Dillian Whyte his next opponent and an undisputed title match scheduled for late 2022.
Fury has also explored the possibility of fighting current UFC heavyweight champion Ngannou given his contract issues with the UFC, although Khabib believes the only fighter who can cause the 6ft 9in Briton a problem. is the WBA, WBO and IBF champion Oleksandr Usyk.
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“[Fury] is the best right now,” Nurmagomedov told Sky Sports. “I don’t know. I think Fury is on a different level, in boxing. If they fight in MMA of course, Ngannou has a chance now – we can see that from his last fight.
“If they fight in the UFC yeah Fury doesn’t have too many chances. But in boxing I don’t see anyone touching his face – maybe Oleksandr Usyk. Usyk is going to be a tough challenge for Fury.
“But Ngannou? I think he should stay with the UFC. But if he goes to boxing and he makes 50 or 60 million dollars, he has to do it. Why not? I know that Ngannou comes from a very, very poor life in Africa. He was without money, without a house, without anything. So if someone pays you more money, go ahead and take it.
“If you want to make history, become the greatest heavyweight of all time, you have to stay in the UFC.”
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