Deontay Wilder Left Out in the Cold as Francis Ngannou Eyes $2M Payday; MMA Insider Reveals Shocking Twist
In the world of combat sports, few names spark as much debate and intrigue as Francis Ngannou. The Cameroonian powerhouse has traversed an extraordinary path, from dominating the UFC to stepping into the boxing ring and now making his return to MMA. With an upcoming bout against Renan Ferreira, Ngannou’s ambitions are crystal clear: he has his sights set on a colossal showdown with Deontay Wilder. But there’s a catch—one that could leave the boxing star with more than just a bruised ego.
A Clash of Titans—or Is It?
Francis Ngannou’s return to MMA is highly anticipated, but it’s his potential clash with Deontay Wilder that has fans and pundits buzzing. Despite Wilder’s formidable reputation in the boxing world, the question remains—can this fight deliver the financial windfall both fighters desire? According to UFC veteran and analyst Chael Sonnen, Wilder might want to think twice before stepping into the octagon with Ngannou.
In a recent interview with TalkSPORT, Ngannou made it clear he’s ready to return to boxing after his MMA fight against Ferreira on October 19. “Absolutely. I would love that (Wilder) fight. Pure boxing, don’t be delusional here. That’s where we both stand a chance. But if we go MMA only one man stands a chance,” Ngannou stated, leaving no doubt about his confidence in the cage.
Sonnen’s Stark Warning to Wilder
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chael Sonnen offered a perspective that could change the course of negotiations. Sonnen emphasized that while a boxing match between Wilder and Ngannou might sound enticing, it’s the MMA arena where things get interesting—and potentially devastating for Wilder.
“There is not a boxing match that Deontay can get $2 million dollars for. That will not happen again in this lifetime. Whoever fights Francis next gets $2 million, like that was just part of the negotiation,” Sonnen explained. He highlighted the financial stakes, pointing out that Wilder’s chances of securing such a hefty payday are slim, especially in the boxing ring.
The Predator’ stated that, “Absolutely. I would love that (Wilder) fight. Pure boxing, don’t be delusional here. That’s where we both stand a chance. But if we go MMA only one man stands a chance.”
Sonnen continued, “Deontay could do a level of business with Francis. Now you’re going to lose. And I don’t mean the competition, I mean whoever puts that on is going to lose money. That is a much better and much more interesting fight than the two previous fights that Francis has had and they lost money.” His words cast a shadow over the financial viability of a Wilder-Ngannou boxing match, suggesting that MMA might be the only profitable route.
The Unpredictable Appeal of MMA
Sonnen’s analysis doesn’t stop at the purse. He also questioned the public’s perception of such a fight, particularly in the context of MMA. “What I am saying is Francis brought up an interesting point and the point was if we go to boxing, do you, the public, believe that we can both win? If we come to MMA, which we won’t do because you, the public, don’t believe each of us could win, you know it would be me. Is he right about that?”
The unpredictability of an MMA bout between Wilder and Ngannou is what makes it a tantalizing prospect. Wilder’s thunderous punches against Ngannou’s comprehensive combat skills could produce a spectacle unlike any other. Sonnen’s insight suggests that while boxing offers a familiar arena, it’s the octagon where true excitement—and profit—lies.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, UFC veteran Chael Sonnen weighed in on this scenario and offered up a surprising take. Sonnen shared that, “Deontay could do a level of business with Francis. Now you’re going to lose. And I don’t mean the competition, I mean whoever puts that on is going to lose money. That is a much better and much more interesting fight than the two previous fights that Francis has had and they lost money.”
Sonnen, always the keen strategist brought up the fact that, “There is not a boxing match that Deontay can get $2 million dollars for. That will not happen again in this lifetime. Whoever fights Francis next gets $2 million, like that was just part of the negotiation. Now, I’m not saying just because he can get it that it makes sense to do.”
Ngannou’s Unfinished Business in Boxing
Despite the allure of an MMA showdown, Francis Ngannou isn’t ready to close the door on boxing just yet. His near-upset against Tyson Fury in 2023 and a subsequent knockout loss to Anthony Joshua in 2024 have only fueled his desire for redemption. Speaking to TalkSPORT, Ngannou confidently stated, “And even more boxers, (Oleksandr Usyk?) Why not (fight) everyone? I have the Fury rematch then Deontay Wilder on the wish list.”
With Usyk set to rematch Tyson Fury in December and Ngannou still focused on his fight with Ferreira, a return to the boxing ring might be a longer wait than fans would like. Yet, Ngannou’s determination remains unshaken, and his potential showdown with Wilder—whether in the ring or the cage—continues to captivate the imagination of combat sports enthusiasts worldwide.
Deontay Wilder is currently on a 2-fight losing streak and has only won 1 out of his past 5 fights. As such, Sonnen suggested that, “…but what I am saying is Francis brought up an interesting point and the point was if we go to boxing, do you, the public, believe that we can both win. If we come to MMA, which we won’t do because you, the public, don’t believe each of us could win, you know it would be me. Is he right about that?”
Ngannou declared, “And even more boxers, (Oleksandr Usyk?) Why not (fight) everyone? I have the Fury rematch then Deontay Wilder on the wish list.”
