Francis Ngannou and Deontay Wilder are being targeted to compete in a potential mixed-rules bout.
Ngannou and Wilder are considered two of the most dangerous and powerful fighters in combat sports, and have naturally been thrust into rivalry and comparison.
The former has a vast experience in both MMA and boxing, having reigned as a UFC champion, and having fought Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury in the squared circle.
Wilder is one of the most feared punchers in the boxing ring, but has lost his touch recently in back-to-back defeats against Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang.
The pair are now in the twilight years of their career and any meeting under any format would likely generate huge commercial interest.
Ngannou is now currently fighting in MMA promotion PFL having won on his debut to become champion, but is also planning to return to boxing in 2025.
But PFL chairman Donn Davis has surprisingly suggested a fight between the pair could take place with a mixed ruleset, combining both MMA and boxing in a unique crossover.
He told Sky Sports: “He’s going to fight twice this year – once in MMA, once in boxing. What order?
“I’m not sure. What opponents? We’re working on options.
“I think Deontay Wilder is one that we’ve talked about, that he has talked about.
“Some sort of mixed rules or alternating rounds or just taking one aspect away from MMA rules.
“I think Deontay Wilder is particularly interesting but you have to get the fans to understand it and it be a legitimate sport.
“We view it as upside but there is risk. There is no free lunch in the world whatever you do. Could he get hurt? Could he diminish his reputation?
“Could it delay certain schedules? Could it hurt other opponents? Of course, there is no free lunch.
“He’s now the most beloved fighter because of the challenges and the risks he’s taken so we view the upside as greater than the downside.”
Wilder has expressed previous interest in fighting in MMA, prior to his recent defeats in the boxing ring.
He could even be approached by the PFL over a contract, given he is not tied down to a promotional deal.
The ‘Bronze Bomber’ has a comeback fight pencilled in for spring this year, but has yet to make an official announcement.
Original discussions between Ngannou and Wilder fighting centered around the pair meeting in a two-fight deal, with showdowns in the cage and the ring.
Either way it would be a promising spectacle, and one that could really grip a global audience, given the prospect of devastating punching and a huge KO.
UFC star Israel Adesanya believes Ngannou would beat Wilder if the pair indeed do battle.
He said: “Francis Ngannou and Deontay Wilder certainly still have the tools to be in the ring together.
“People forget in this TikTok generation who Deontay Wilder is – who has one of the highest finishing rates in heavyweight boxing history and Francis Ngannou also became a star in the boxing world in just two fights.
“I would back my boy Francis to win this fight. It also depends where Deontay is at mentally.
“In one of his last interviews, he spoke about going to the jungle and doing Ayahuasca, so who knows where he is at.”
