UFC Star Will Switch To Boxing Soon

Another UFC sensation has hinted at a switch to professional boxing.

Just days after MMA fighter Artem Lobov defeated former boxing champ Paulie Malignaggi, UFC heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou revealed that he will soon make a switch from MMA to boxing.

Ngannou is one of the most powerful strikers in UFC’s heavyweight division today. Prior to becoming an MMA sensation, Ngannou revealed that he has been longing for a career as a professional boxer. In a recent interview, the 32-year-old heavyweight detailed his boxing aspirations and what he plans to do in his career in the future, BJPenn.com reported.

“So, first of all, boxing is my background. Boxing was my first love for a very long time. For more than 10 years I have been loving boxing without even knowing what MMA was. Then, I get in MMA by opportunity, but still boxing lover. So, I think, at some point, I can end up to cross paths with that dream,” Ngannou revealed.

Ngannou then teased his upcoming boxing debut, saying, “Sooner or later, it’s going to definitely — it might happen.”

Even long-time MMA analyst Joe Rogan seems to be a believer of Ngannou as he commented on the heavyweight’s possible switch to boxing. “Mark my words, if Francis Ngannou decides to jump ship and go to heavyweight boxing, he will nuke some fools,” Rogan emphasized.

Several weeks ago, back when Andy Ruiz Jr. scored an upset win against Anthony Joshua, Rogan has already talked about Ngannou’s boxing skills and also the Ruiz vs. Ngannou hot air that the boxing and MMA communities once talked about, Bloody Elbow reported.

“I know he could box. He could with training. He’s so big and so powerful. He, in my opinion, the most dangerous one-punch guy I’ve ever seen. If you make any mistake with that guy… heavyweights just go flying across the room,” Rogan said.

While Rogan commends Ngannou’s boxing abilities, he still thinks that Ruiz is the better boxer between the two. But a Ngannou-Ruiz fight is a match that people would really look forward to just like the Mayweather-McGregor fight.

“Andy Ruiz is a way better boxer, He’s a way, way, way better boxer. It’s a big difference. Andy Ruiz has 100 amateur fights. People would [want to] see it, just like people wanted to see Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor," Rogan said.

Ngannou is set to face former UFC champ Junior Dos Santos at UFC on ESPN 3 this weekend.