Former UFC champions Kamaru Usman and Israel Adesanya have shown their support for Francis Ngannou after his impressive performance on his boxing debut against WBC champion Tyson Fury last Saturday.
Fury claimed a controversial split decision victory over the former UFC heavyweight champion in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Ngannou knocked down Fury in round three after connecting with a left hook, but while one judge scored it 95-94 in favour of the Cameroonian, two gave it to the Brit at 96-93 and 95-94.
The decision was met with boos around Boulevard Hall in Riyadh as it was announced that the UFC fighter had lost. Top sportsmen across the world, including former England footballer Gary Lineker and NBA star LeBron James, expressed shock and disappointment at the result.
Adesanya had placed a $20,000 bet on Ngannou to pull off the win in the fight and also went to show his support during his bout against Fury. Post Fury’s victory over Ngannou, Adesanya took to social media platform X to extend his support to the former UFC heavyweight champion.
“Against all odds and coming out on TOP Stepping into the squared circle and going toe to toe with the greatest heavyweight in boxing. My brother @francisngannou …you shook up the WORLD,” he wrote.
Usman was also in attendance at ‘The Battle of the Baddest’ and said he was very proud with his comrade’s debut performance in professional boxing.
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