ONE Championship is ‘the only challenge’ for Francis Ngannou, says Chatri – ‘he’ll have a tough time in our heavyweight division’
- ONE chairman and CEO to meet former UFC heavyweight champion this weekend to discuss ‘final offer’
- Chatri open to co-promoting boxing bouts with Ngannou, but says Anatoly Malykhin and Buchecha would be ‘nightmare’ matchups
Chatri Sityodtong insists ONE Championship would be the “only challenge” for Francis Nganno, and that the former UFC champion would have a “tough time” in the promotion’s heavyweight division.
ONE’s CEO and chairman revealed he will meet Ngannou this weekend in Los Angeles to talk terms.
The 36-year-old Cameroonian-Frenchman became a free agent in January having run down his UFC deal while still holding the Las Vegas-based organisation’s heavyweight title, which was vacated and claimed by Jon Jones last month.
“We’ve been in discussions,” Chatri told Ariel Helwani’s MMA Hour on Wednesday. “I like Francis, he brings a lot to the table, but he’ll have a tough time in our heavyweight division, to be frank, which I’ve said publicly.
“It’s a tough challenge for Francis – look at [interim heavyweight champion] Anatoly Malykhin. He’s 12-0, has 1-punch KO power, and an 80 per cent finish rate. But at the same time, Francis has the X factor, he’s a giant monster.”
Russia’s Malykhin (12-0) is set for a title unification showdown with ONE’s divisional heavyweight champ Arjan Bhullar in July at Fight Night 14.
