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The sports world is currently abuzz with speculation that Cristiano Ronaldo could possibly attend Francis Ngannou's upcoming boxing match against Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia.
Earlier this year, former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou had the opportunity to meet his longtime idol Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia. Ronaldo signed a multi-year contract with the Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr in 2022. Apart from competing for Al Nassr, 'CR7' also plays for the Portuguese national team.
As seen below, Ngannou posted photos to his Instagram account -- featuring himself posing alongside the legendary football player from their meeting back in January.
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Ngannou parted ways with the UFC organization in January 2023 and subsequently signed with the PFL. 'The Predator's' PFL contract allows him to compete in boxing matches as well.
Additionally, it was announced that Francis Ngannou would make his boxing debut against reigning WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. The highly-anticipated fight has the symbolic 'Riyadh Champion' belt at stake. Their showdown will transpire in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on October 28, 2023.
In an appearance on The MMA Hour in July 2023, Francis Ngannou suggested that his January meeting with Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia played a significant role in the Tyson Fury boxing match coming to fruition.
Speaking to MMA Hour host Ariel Helwani, Ngannou indicated that Ronaldo utilized his influence in the Saudi and UK sports dominion to help the Fury-Ngannou boxing match materialize.
Check out Ngannou's comments at 24:20 in the video below:
There were discussions about the match possibly being held at Wembley Stadium in the UK. Nevertheless, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia was eventually finalized as the location for the fight. On that note, after Ngannou's arrival in Riyadh this month (October 2023), Ronaldo was spotted with the MMA fighter and the latter's family.
Check out Ngannou and Ronaldo's meeting below:
Earlier this week, Ngannou posted a video to his Instagram handle, revealing that he was gifted an expensive special edition watch by 'CR7.' Furthermore, the latest footage of Ronaldo alongside 'The Predator' and his family members is being hailed as another indication that the football icon would attend the Fury-Ngannou fight.
Watch Ronaldo interact with Ngannou's family members and entourage below:
Francis Ngannou looks to derail Tyson Fury's undisputed heavyweight title plans
It was recently confirmed that Tyson Fury has signed a contract to fight unified boxing heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk for boxing's undisputed heavyweight title. The Fury-Usyk matchup is being targeted for either December 23, 2023 or January 2024. Following the aforesaid revelation, Francis Ngannou posted a tweet, alluding that he'll derail the Fury-Usyk fight.
Francis Ngannou has implied that 'The Gypsy King' won't escape their fight unscathed and will be unable to fight Oleksandr Usyk next. Many believe that if the debutant boxer beats Tyson Fury or even inflicts significant damage/injury in a losing effort, Fury wouldn't be able to face Usyk in December/January.
