Francis Ngannou sends stern warning to Deontay Wilder ahead of boxing comeback: "go to sleep"

Francis Ngannou, the Cameroonian powerhouse known for his bone-crushing punches, has set his sights on a seismic clash with Deontay Wilder, vowing to send the American boxing legend into an early slumber. Fresh off a thunderous MMA knockout, Ngannou is pivoting back to the boxing ring, eyeing a high-stakes duel that promises fireworks—and potential unconsciousness.

Francis Ngannou’s ominous predictioxn: “Someone’s Getting Knocked Out”

In a recent interview, Ngannou didn’t mince words about the stakes of a Wilder showdown:

“There’s an 80 percent chance somebody will go to sleep. It’ll be one or the other.” The former UFC heavyweight champion, now with the Professional Fighters League (PFL), acknowledged Wilder’s reputation as a fearsome knockout artist but doubled down on his own lethal power. “Deep down, there’s ego,” Francis Ngannou admitted. “We both want to prove who hits harder. That question lingers—is it me or him?”

Deontay Wilder, once boxing’s most feared puncher, has struggled recently, losing back-to-back bouts to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang. Yet Ngannou isn’t underestimating him. “He’s the guy who tries to knock everyone out. I’m no different. Let’s settle this.”

From UFC Exit to Global Combat Sports Phenom

Francis Ngannou’s journey has been anything but conventional. After leaving the UFC in 2023, he stunned the combat world by nearly toppling Tyson Fury in a split-decision loss, then suffered a brutal second-round KO by Anthony Joshua. Undeterred, he returned to MMA in June 2024, flattening Renan Ferreira in minutes. Now, he’s blending both worlds, teasing a “hybrid rules” bout that could alternate between boxing and MMA rounds—a concept PFL chairman Donn Davis calls “risky but revolutionary.”

“Francis will fight twice in 2025—once in MMA, once in boxing,” Davis revealed. “Wilder’s name is in the mix. Fans need to grasp the vision, but the upside? Massive.”

The High-Risk, High-Reward Gamble

While critics question Francis Ngannou’s boxing credentials, his fearlessness fuels his appeal.

“He’s beloved for taking risks,” Davis noted, acknowledging potential pitfalls like injury or reputational damage. Yet for Ngannou, legacy outweighs caution. “I thrive on challenges,” he declared. “This isn’t just a fight—it’s a statement.”

As anticipation builds, one thing is clear: whether in gloves or bare knuckles, Ngannou vs. Deontay Wilder guarantees a collision of titans—and possibly, a nap for the ages.