Francis Ngannou names the football superstar that has the attributes to become a fighter

Francis Ngannou believes Cristiano Ronaldo could have reached a high level in combat sports.

Ngannou knows a thing or two about being on the top of the mountain in the fighting world, as he is the current PFL Super Fights heavyweight champion and reigned as the UFC heavyweight champion before leaving that organisation in 2023. Additionally, the Cameroonian famously recorded a knockdown against then-undefeated WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in a 2023 boxing match that went the distance.

With that wealth of experience to his name, the 38-year-old feels that Ronaldo has what it takes to compete as a fighter.

“[Ronaldo] loves combat sports," Ngannou told Sportsbook Review. "I think Cristiano is the kind of guy that maybe when he was younger you could have said doesn't have the attributes to be a player. But he's such a hard worker, disciplined and focused on what he wants. I think he has even the only attribute that you need to become a fighter. Dedication and discipline.” 

Ngannou has forged a relationship with the football superstar, one that he describes as "very genuine."

The two sportsmen have kept in touch since their first meeting in Saudi Arabia a couple of years ago.

“[Ronaldo and I] do have a very good relationship," he said. "I went to Saudi for the first time two years ago and I had the opportunity to meet Cristiano, he was in the pool with his family and we were there for like 45 minutes just chatting next to the pool and stuff and it just felt very genuine.  We looked like people that knew each other for a very long time but it was the very first time and it was one of those times you have to pinch yourself like ‘this is Cristiano, right? Yes, it’s really Cristiano’. 

"From then we picked it up on DMs from time to time on Instagram and then he asked for my number."

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