Tim Sylvia: "I would have destroyed Francis Ngannou"
Francis Ngannou has come in for criticism from Tim Sylvia. The former UFC heavyweight champion believes he would have beaten the Cameroonian with ease.
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Francis Ngannou has left the UFC but not a day goes by without him being talked about. 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 KO in the 2nd round, he went on to retain his title impressively against Cyril Gane. When he signed with the PFL, he left his title vacant. Despite all these achievements, Tim Sylvia believes the "Predator" is not as good 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 wildly and crazily. He hits you, you go to sleep, but technical fighters like [Jon] Jones and Stipe could beat him. You saw what he did to Gane. He didn't even want to stay standing with him. He took him down. It was an ugly fight. He talks a lot when he has only won one fight and he refused to strike with Ciryl Gane," said the 47-year-old American, who was UFC world heavyweight champion in 2003, 2006 and 2007.
Tim Sylvia also thinks he was far better than Francis Ngannou: "I would destroy him in my prime. If we fought now, he would 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 would destroy him. He's too wild. I was more of a technical striker than him." Then again, with "ifs", anything is possible.
Although he began his MMA career with 16 straight wins, Tim Sylvia still suffered several defeats in the twilight of his career. He left the cage with 31 wins and 10 losses.