Junior dos Santos Says Francis Ngannou Proved MMA Fighters Can Hang W/ Top Boxers

Junior dos Santos and Francis Ngannou as soon as shared the Octagon (albeit for not very lengthy), however that does not imply the MMA legend is not impressed with The Predator’s success within the boxing ring!

Cigano’s thrilled for his former opponent … and as a matter of reality, he would not thoughts a rematch within the squared circle someday down the street.

TMZ Sports activities talked to 39-year-old dos Santos earlier this week forward of his battle with Alan Belcher (extra on that quickly) … once we requested Junior about Francis’ transfer to the boxing ring.

“I’m so happy for [Ngannou],” Junior advised us, explaining … “All the boxing guys are always talking, saying on the striking side we are not able to go there and put on a good performance against them.”

Junior believes Francis proved the other in opposition to Tyson Fury … MMA fighters can dangle with the perfect with regards to putting with simply fingers.

“Francis Ngannou was fighting probably the biggest heavyweight in the history who never lost a fight,” JDS defined, including, “and he did what he did. I was there. That was so amazing to see that. And, it showed what kind of work we [MMA fighters] do.”

Now, Francis has one other large problem in entrance of him within the type of Anthony Joshua subsequent month … and Junior is clearly cautioning of us to not rely him out.

FYI, JDS is properly conscious of what Francis can do. The 2 stars fought again in June 2019 … however after a flurry of punches, the battle was stopped simply 1:11 seconds into the primary spherical, with Ngannou profitable by TKO.

Junior would not thoughts working issues again!

“That would be amazing, too! I think actually that would be something very good, not just for me, but for him, as well.”

For dos Santos, any battle with Ngannou could be down the road. First, he is bought a big-time matchup with 39-year-old Belcher, who’s coming off a call win over Roy Nelson at Gamebred Combating Championship 6, Jorge Masvidal‘s bare-knuckle MMA promotion.