Ngannou Ready To ‘Rumble’ With Johnson

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) heavyweight No. 1 contender Francis Ngannou is not a big fan of inactivity and constantly bemoans the lack of fights offered by his promoter. That said, Dana White and Co. only share half the blame, because people aren’t exactly lining up to get decapitated by “The Predator.”

But one fighter who is always down to stand and bang is former 205-pound title contender Anthony Johnson, who just so happens to be walking around at heavyweight. If UFC is willing to make that fight happen, then Ngannou is ready to throw hands ASAP.

“Yeah, I would be very interested in that fight,” Ngannou told Morning Kombat (transcribed by Tom Taylor). “Rumble Johnson is a guy that I respect a lot. I know him as a person, and I admire him as a person. It would be great to share the Octagon with him, no matter if it’s for the title or not.”

Sounds like the feeling is mutual.

“Even beyond Rumble Johnson I still have some dreams and some aspirations,” Ngannou continued. “But I have stay focused and realistic, and deal with the situation right now. Obviously that question has popped up before, and I would be down for that fight. It would such a great fight, and it would be such an honor to fight Rumble Johnson.”

Ngannou (15-3) has been impatiently sitting on the sidelines waiting for reigning UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic to accept their championship rematch, which may not happen until some time later next spring.

If it happens at all.