Fedor Eyes Ngannou Boxing Dream but Insists No Talks Are Underway

Fedor Emelianenko has opened the door to a dream fight with Francis Ngannou — while making clear that, for now, it is only a dream. The 50-year-old Russian, widely regarded as one of the greatest heavyweights in MMA history with a record of 40 wins, seven defeats and one no-contest, told the Ushatayka channel he would be interested in facing the former UFC heavyweight champion under boxing rules. He was equally clear about the limits of that interest. Injuries, he said, prevent him from considering an MMA return, and he has never claimed negotiations are taking place. The distinction matters, because fantasy matchups involving two of the sport's biggest names tend to take on a life of their own. Ngannou, 19-3, left the UFC in 2023 after contract talks broke down, made a single appearance for the Professional Fighters League in 2024, and most recently knocked out Philipe Lins in the first round at Most Valuable Promotions' inaugural MMA event in May. A boxing meeting between the two would be a meeting of eras as much as styles: Emelianenko the stoic pioneer, Ngannou the modern power-puncher. For now, though, it remains exactly what Fedor called it — him thinking out loud.