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Mixed Martial Arts

PFL CEO names potential opponent for Deontay Wilder's MMA debut

PFL CEO names potential opponent for Deontay Wilder's MMA debutMark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
There's a huge name in line for a fight.

PFL chief executive Peter Murray believes that Deontay Wilder could make a crossover excursion into MMA to face Francis Ngannou.

Ngannou left the UFC as their heavyweight champion to move into boxing, where he has fought Tyson Fury to an impressive split-decision defeat, and is now on course to meet Anthony Joshua in the ring in Saudi Arabia on March 8. The winner of that fight will hope to be in line for a bout with the victor of Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk (live on DAZN.com on May 18).

Wilder recently offered to step in to face Usyk after Fury’s cut that required stitches, but Murray thinks that Wilder could cross over to MMA.

One of those crossover fighters could be Deontay Wilder, with the WBC champion having discussed fighting in MMA before.

After losing to Joseph Parker in December, he could be an option to face Ngannou.

"Big fight. Still a big fight despite Deontay's loss. He's an incredible athlete, hard-hitting fighter and I think this would be a fresh look on him," Murray said to Sky Sports.

"I think Francis would agree that those two in a cage, with four-ounce gloves, that would be a fight and a fight fans would want to see.

"So it's definitely a conversation."

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