Conor McGregor Praises “Light and Elusive” Tyson Fury, But Warns Of Mike Tyson’s Wisdom in Francis Ngannou Corner

Ahead of Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou’s crossover bout in Saudi Arabia, see Conor McGregor’s prediction and preview.

Conor McGregor Prediction – Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou

It is fair to say the overwhelming majority of the fighting world are of the belief that this is merely a stop-gap cash-grab for Tyson Fury. The two-time world champion is fully expected to sweep aside UFC veteran Francis Ngannou, who makes the crossover into boxing for the first time.

That hasn’t stopped fellow UFC fighter and former champion Conor McGregor from providing us with perhaps the most balanced, and surprisingly coherent, pre-match prediction.

The former two-weight champion has sent a warning call to heavy favourite Tyson Fury, who he says may not be as comfortable as some might expect given Ngannou’s striking ability.

Speaking on Francis Ngannou’s style, McGregor said: “Francis Ngannou is more of a kickboxer/boxer than he is a mixed martial artist in my opinion.

“You start throwing in grappling with Francis, it’s never good for him, he has a striker’s mentality and this will stand to him in this bout. He has a tough ask with Tyson Fury but any man can land a shot.”

McGregor, who will be in attendance in Riyadh on Saturday night, did however go on to praise Fury, who he said looked “great in the build-up,” and appeared “fast, light and elusive”.

However, he did go on to round off his prediction and preview with a handful of interesting takes, including what effect Mike Tyson’s guidance may have on Ngannou’s performance.

“The Mike Tyson influx into this in Francis Ngannou’s corner is very interesting. Francis has power, big power, but with a striker’s mentality if it gets a bit tougher for him in the later rounds that mentality will stand to him vs a mixed martial artist’s mentality.

“Mike Tyson has given some tips to get inside, change an angle and bang a shot that clips the top of the temple to make it an interesting bout.

“Also, Tyson Fury is named after Mike Tyson, former youngest heavyweight champion of all time, icon in boxing and Tyson Fury’s father John named his son after Mike Tyson; Tyson Fury. Fast forward a few years, Mike Tyson himself is now training a man to beat his son. That casts so much emotions into it and adds so much on to it, it heaps so much on to the story.”