Aspinall calls Ngannou a scary man ahead of MMA return
- Tom Aspinall, the interim heavyweight champion, is currently waiting for his title shot while serving as a backup fighter for UFC 309's main event.
- Francis Ngannou is making his return to MMA after leaving the UFC due to disputes over fighter pay and has been involved in boxing.
- Aspinall considers a potential fight with Ngannou as a great matchup but acknowledges the challenges posed by Ngannou's upcoming fight and Dana White's stance on co-promotions.
On October 19, 2024, in Saudi Arabia, Tom Aspinall, the interim UFC heavyweight champion, discussed his interest in facing former UFC champion Francis Ngannou, who is preparing for a return to mixed martial arts. Aspinall currently waits for his title shot while serving as a backup for an upcoming fight between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic at UFC 309. Ngannou, known for his powerful knockout ability, has been pursuing a crossover career in boxing after his departure from the UFC due to a dispute over fighter pay. Aspinall described Ngannou as a 'scary man' but acknowledged that he believes he has the technical edge in a potential fight. Despite Ngannou's interest in fighting current heavyweight talents in a cross-promotional event, Dana White's reluctance towards co-promotions poses significant challenges to such matchups. Before any of this can occur, Ngannou must first defeat PFL fighter Renan Ferreira, who boasts a four-fight win streak and is 6ft 8in tall. The anticipation surrounding this potential showdown illustrates growing interest in heavyweight matchups as fighters like Aspinall and Ngannou navigate their respective careers. As the heavyweight division evolves, fans are eager to see how these scenarios unfold.