Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou made his anticipated boxing debut against Tyson Fury last October, and after the controversial decision, UFC commentator Joe Rogan believes the ‘fix was in’.
Despite being nine months removed from Francis Ngannou‘s boxing debut against Tyson Fury, the result is still being spoken about due to how controversial it was at the time.
Although ‘The Predator’ went on to lose a split decision, many in the combat sports world believe him to be the true victor, especially after scoring a crushing knockdown in round three.
Joe Rogan speculates ‘the fix was in’ on the divisive debut
With it being Ngannou’s boxing debut, he wasn’t ranked at the time, whereas ‘The Gypsy King’ was scheduled to take on Oleksandr Usyk just four months later.
UFC commentator, Joe Rogan, believes that to save face and keep that fight intact, the result could’ve been skewed.
“I thought he (Francis Ngannou) won that fight. But, you know, they were setting up that (Oleksandr) Usyk fight. They were not going to let – yeah, it just seemed like the fix was in a little bit,” Rogan speculated on the Joe Rogan Experience.
“It was close enough that they could pull it off and you go, ‘Okay maybe, maybe you can see (Fury) winning that,’ but I don’t think so, I thought Francis won it, a lot of people thought Francis won it,” the UFC commentator continued.
Although he lost the fight, the 37-year-old was put into the rankings following his performance, and it set him up for a second boxing outing, against Anthony Joshua.
Unfortunately, that fight was indisputable as ‘AJ’ knocked Ngannou out cold in the second round.
“I’m happy that he went and got paid, I’m happy that he got that money for the Tyson Fury fight because everyone was dismissing it, Dana (White) was dismissing it and then he drops Tyson Fury and in a lot of people’s eyes, won the fight.
“And then he gets a big payday against Joshua, I’m happy that he made money, but I wish he would’ve made that money in the UFC,” Rogan said.
- IRON’S NEW PLAN: ‘While Conor sits on his yacht’… Michael Chandler poses new idea for next fight despite Conor McGregor’s return to training
Joe Rogan believes Francis Ngannou is the only way PFL will attract attention
Even though Ngannou signed with the PFL last year, he is still yet to make his debut in the Smartcage, with PFL chairman Donn Davis hopeful that he will do so this year.
PFL heavyweight champion, Renan Ferreira, beat Bellator heavyweight champion, Ryan Bader, earlier this year at the PFL vs Bellator event, earning his chance to be the first fighter to welcome Ngannou to the promotion.
Despite that, a date is still yet to be set for the fight. Joe Rogan believes the only way the PFL can be successful is if they attract attention with Ngannou fights.
“If the UFC went away, the PFL would probably take up the slack. If something happened, the UFC decided, ‘You know what, we’ve found Jesus. No more fights. Good luck. Take care. We’re gonna close shop.’ For some crazy reason. Those guys would go somewhere. Everyone has a name.
“Right now, the only way an organization could benefit – like PFL signed Francis. That’s probably the only way that PFL’s gonna get people to pay attention. You have to have someone like Francis.”