18 July 2023 , 16:30
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Francis Ngannou has cited a meeting with Cristiano Ronaldo earlier this year as the catalyst for his massive eight-figure deal to fight Tyson Fury later this year.
The UFC heavyweight champion was let out of his strict promotional contract earlier this year, and was spotted spending time with the legendary footballer during a visit to Saudi Arabia. Ronaldo had just moved to Al-Nassr in Riyadh, while Ngannou was visiting for a mystery trip, which he claims was the ice-breaker with officials in the Kingdom.
Ngannou and Ronaldo squared up for pictures and were seen laughing together in posts on each other's Instagram pages. Months later, talks would begin between the UFC champion and Saudi Arabian officials, with a deal confirmed shortly after for a massive crossover fight.
Asked yesterday if the relationship started on that trip, Ngannou told The MMA Hour : "Yes, that's where it started in that moment." Ronaldo has spent time around both he and Conor McGregor, and was also seen in attendance at Jake Paul vs Tommy Fury in Diriyah a few weeks after the meeting.
"We had a good talk. He told me that the Saudi [Arabia] is the future," Ngannou said during an interview with TMZ Sports at the time. "A lot of people doesn't understand now but they are changing really fast, it's moving really fast. And that's even what I personally, that was my feeling when I get there.
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"It was my first time going to Saudi and I was literally like, I didn't really know how to carry myself, how to behave myself, but I get there and find out that everything is cool. It was just like normal life. It's pretty cool, man. I've been following Cristiano for the past, maybe 17 years. And then, you know, to get to meet him in person and find out that he is a huge fan of the sport.
"That he knows a lot about the sport. He loves the sport. He's watched us fight. He knows a lot about me than what I was expecting. Very impressive. You know, to get someone like Cristiano Ronaldo knowing the game, know you or what you are doing, is pretty cool. He's pretty big. He's pretty huge. Listen, it's like a huge support from him."
Fury has previously wrestled for the WWE in Saudi Arabia, while his brother Tommy fought there in February against Paul; winning a tight split decision. The Brit has opted to go with different backers in the Kingdom than Skills Challenge, who have put on previous big events such as Fury vs Paul and Anthony Joshua's challenges against Andy Ruiz Jr and Oleksandr Usyk.