14 March 2023 , 14:06
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Francis Ngannou has suggested he is open to working with Jake Paul after leaving the UFC.
The former UFC heavyweight champion vacated his title and became a free agent earlier this year after failing to agree a new deal with the promotion. Since making his decision, Ngannou has received a multitude of offers including from MMA promotions PFL and Bellator - and has also held talks with former boxing world champion Deontay Wilder.
YouTube star Paul, who has his own boxing promotion, Most Valuable Promotions, is also keen to recruit Ngannou with the 'Problem Child' revealed that he has already held talks with Ngannou over a potential offer.
“We have talked," Paul told TMZ Sports. "The Most Valuable Promotions team, we talked to Francis. We think we can do a great job for him. We share the same vision on a lot of things. Hopefully Francis sees that as well, but regardless, we’re always going to be there to support him. On the MMA side of things, we’re working on something too."
Ngannou has since revealed he is open to a move to work with Paul and can see a resolution being made quickly regarding his future. "It depends on where I am but I do think we can work together [with Jake Paul]," Ngannou also told TMZ Sports on working with the influencer. "Also speaking of the PFL I have had a conversation with them too, so yes this is something in the near future that could happen very quick."
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The 36-year-old has suggested he wants to continue fighting in MMA and would try to work in some lucrative boxing fights alongside his exploits in the cage. Ngannou has some heavy artillery in terms of punching power, which he believes could see him mix it with the best in the boxing ring.
Francis Ngannou is eyeing a series of fights in the boxing ring (Getty Images)Would you like to see Francis Ngannou work with Jake Paul? Let us know in the comments section below
Paul recently signed a deal with MMA promotion PFL to make his own cage debut, but will also form a part of a new super-fight division which could see boxing contests brought to the platform. Ngannou could be placed on a similar deal alongside the 26-year-old, but he is also in talks with a number of other opponents.
Anthony Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn has suggested Ngannou could be a potential opponent for his fighter later in the year, with a Middle East bout on the table. Tyson Fury could also be a future option in the boxing ring, with the pair having already public agreed to touch gloves in a mixed-rules bout.