UFC Legend Calls For Title Shot For Francis Ngannou Following 'Vicious' KO Victory

UFC legend and ESPN MMA analyst Chael Sonnen called for a title shot for UFC heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou following his 20-second KO victory over Jairzinho Rozenstruik at UFC 249.

The UFC proved to sports fans that coronavirus will not stop them from putting on a show. On Saturday (May 9), UFC 249 continued without a live audience in attendance. It’s a first for the promotion, but the event was still a success. One of the most notable fights in the stacked main card was the 20-second KO win of heavy-hitting Ngannou over Rozenstruik.

Ngannou landed a devastating left hook in the very first round of the fight, quickly sending Rozenstruik to the ground. The spectacular knockout was already Ngannou’s fourth consecutive win via KO/TKO. Many believe, including Ngannou himself, that he should be handed a crack at the UFC heavyweight title.

A former UFC title contender himself, Sonnen immediately addressed Ngannou’s case on his official YouTube channel. According to Sonnen, the UFC must match a “very scary athlete” like Ngannou accordingly. Based on the ESPN MMA analyst’s statement, he’s calling for a title shot next for Ngannou, name-dropping Stipe Miocic and current UFC heavyweight champ Daniel Cormier.

“Francis Ngannou is a dangerous guy. Stipe (Miocic) could protect himself, sure he could. Daniel (Cormier) could protect himself, sure he could. There’s a very very scary athlete who has to be matched up accordingly,” Sonnen pointed out.

Following his emphatic win over Rozenstruik, Ngannou once again reminded everybody how equipped he is for a title shot. But after repeatedly calling for it in the past, “The Predator” admitted that he has grown tired of presenting his case, Sherdog reported.

“I don’t know what it takes to have a title shot in the UFC. I’ve made my peace with that. It’s not that I don’t care, but I don’t want to feel like something is controlling me. With or without a title shot, I’m still a fighter and still have what I have and can make a statement,” Ngannou said.

The Cameroonian fighter impressed a lot of combat sports fans with his another highlight-worthy KO win at UFC 249. In fact, Ngannou’s idol and KO artist himself Mike Tyson lauded him and predicted that he’s destined to become the next UFC heavyweight world champion.

Taking his high regards to Ngannou to Twitter, Tyson wrote: “Resounding…vicious…future champ. Francis Ngannou 20 second knockout 2nite.”

UFC president Dana White has yet to drop what’s next for Ngannou but his latest KO win could probably put his name on the list of next title contenders.