In a blockbuster showdown billed as the "Battle of the Baddest," British boxing superstar Tyson Fury emerged victorious over MMA knockout artist Francis Ngannou via split decision on Saturday.
The heavyweight titans finally settled the score after months of heated trash talk in a hybrid rules exhibition bout at the Riyadh Kingdom Arena in Saudi Arabia.
Both men came out swinging in an action-packed slugfest, but crafty veteran Fury used his superior boxing skills to outland and evade the Cameroonian Ngannou through ten wild rounds.
Two judges scored the fight 96-93 and 95-94 for Fury, with one dissenting card for Ngannou at 95-94. Ultimately, Fury's ring IQ gave him the edge over the MMA powerhouse.
Despite no belts or titles on the line, the larger-than-life personalities delivered a highly entertaining scrap for fans. Both giants also pocketed massive paydays expected to exceed $10 million each.
While some questioned the competitive validity of a crossover bout, Fury and Ngannou deserve credit for daring to be different. The event brought together both boxing and MMA audiences.
After vanquishing the feared Ngannou, Fury reiterated plans to retire undefeated as boxing's lineal heavyweight champ.
As for Ngannou, the loss doesn't diminish his aura as UFC's most terrifying knockout artist. He remains an elite MMA fighter, just outfoxed by one of boxing's craftiest technicians in Fury.
Hopefully this high-profile showdown breaks ground for more crossover events that give elite-level martial artists and boxers chances to test their skills. The fans certainly won seeing these two juggernauts trade blows.
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