Francis Ngannou Setting Sights On 2018 Title Run
Francis Ngannou Setting Sights On 2018 Title Run
Surging UFC heavyweight Francis Ngannou is patiently waiting for his title opportunity to materialize.
Francis Ngannou has been the storm crashing into the UFC heavyweight division since his arrival in late 2015. In less than two years time "The Predator" has notched five consecutive victories as Ngannou finished each man he's faced inside the Octagon.
While putting away his opposition is impressive, Ngannou's most notable of the batch was his TKO stoppage of former champion Andrei Arlovski at UFC on Fox 23 back in January.
Ngannou pulverized the vastly more experienced Arlovski, and did so in a fashion that seemed to put the rest of his peers in the heavyweight ranks on notice. There was future title talk in the immediate aftermath of his biggest win to date, and Ngannou has no complaints about that conversation.
Yet, as the surging heavyweight told Fighter's Only in a recent interview, he's more than happy to step in for a championship opportunity anytime it comes. If it's later than sooner, well, that's fine with him as well.
"I don't know if that would be possible this year, but the thing I want, and will do everything to make that possible, is to win every fight they give me. I want to win every one and if you win every one, even if it is 2018, it will be the same title shot as if they give me the title shot in 2017.
"So, grow step by step, grow smartly and take care of everyone. Be smart, control yourself, control your body. I know I can have a title shot soon. Maybe 2017, but 2018 is no problem for me. I just want to win my fights."
While putting away his opposition is impressive, Ngannou's most notable of the batch was his TKO stoppage of former champion Andrei Arlovski at UFC on Fox 23 back in January.
Ngannou pulverized the vastly more experienced Arlovski, and did so in a fashion that seemed to put the rest of his peers in the heavyweight ranks on notice. There was future title talk in the immediate aftermath of his biggest win to date, and Ngannou has no complaints about that conversation.
Yet, as the surging heavyweight told Fighter's Only in a recent interview, he's more than happy to step in for a championship opportunity anytime it comes. If it's later than sooner, well, that's fine with him as well.
"I don't know if that would be possible this year, but the thing I want, and will do everything to make that possible, is to win every fight they give me. I want to win every one and if you win every one, even if it is 2018, it will be the same title shot as if they give me the title shot in 2017.
"So, grow step by step, grow smartly and take care of everyone. Be smart, control yourself, control your body. I know I can have a title shot soon. Maybe 2017, but 2018 is no problem for me. I just want to win my fights."