Former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Silvia believes he would have easily beaten Francis Ngannou had he been of the same generation as him. At 47, the American downplays the Cameroonian's techniques.
Francis Ngannou has left the UFC but hardly a day goes by without people talking about him. It has to be said that the Cameroonian fighter left his mark on the American MMA organisation. World heavyweight champion in March 2021, after beating Stipe Moice by knockout in the 2nd round, he brilliantly retained his title against Cyril Gane. When he signed up with the PFL, he left his title vacant. Despite all his achievements, Tim Sylvia believes that the "Predator" is not as strong as people think.
"I don't think Francis is that good.
He's a monster with heavy hands, but his punches come from his hips and he swings wild and crazy. He hits you, you go to sleep, but technical fighters like [Jon] Jones and Stipe, they could beat him. You saw what he did to Gane. He wouldn't even stand with him. He knocked him down. It was an ugly fight. He talks a lot when he's only won one fight and turned down the striking against Ciryl Gane," says the 47-year-old American, who was UFC world heavyweight champion in 2003, 2006 and 2007.
Tim Sylvia also believes he was much better than Francis Ngannou: "I'd destroy him in his prime.If we fought now, he'd beat me. But at my peak?If we could go back in time, if I was in my prime, if he was in his prime, I'd destroy him. He's too wild. I was more of a technical striker than he was. At the same time, with a few "ifs" nothing is impossible.
Although he started his MMA career with 16 wins in a row, Tim Sylvia still suffered several setbacks in the twilight of his career. He left the cages with 31 wins and 10 losses.
