Tyson Fury could have nearly managed to keep away from embarrassment in opposition to Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia on Saturday however it could be a special story altogether if the pair have been to satisfy in an MMA cage combat. That's based on UFC star Conor McGregor who has predicted a "massacre" if former double world champion Ngannou was to tackle Fury at his personal sport.

The 37-year-old MMA star made his skilled boxing debut on Saturday night in a big-money crossover occasion in Saudi Arabia and regardless of being thought of a rank outsider, he took WBC world heavyweight champion Fury all the way in which within the 10 spherical contest and even put the British fighter on the canvas within the third spherical with a brutal blow to the facet of the top.

Ngannou heading for a shock determination victory, however Fury edged the judges' name 2-1, sparing his blushes after what had been a surprisingly troublesome combat for the Gypsy King.

McGregor additionally beforehand transitioned from MMA to boxing when he took on all-time nice Floyd Mayweather in 2017, shedding to the American by way of a technical knockout within the tenth spherical.

'Notorious' was stuffed with reward for Ngannou after the combat and believes that if the tables have been turned and Fury was to step into the MMA cage he would don't have any reply for the African star's energy.

McGregor wrote on social media: "If it was MMA, this right here is a massacre. Fair play to Francis, and to Tyson for taking the unknown challenge. Francis won despite what the judges say (albeit under boxing rules over 10 rounds, it was close!) Both fought valiantly.

"Respect. May God bless preventing sport, as for me, in immediately’s typically grim and unhappy world, it's the premier distraction to what's going on."

Ngannou's status in the world of boxing now appears secured after WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman said that he was personally going to recommend to the council that boxing's newest name enters their top 10 rankings.

But a return to MMA is the only thing that is guaranteed for 'The Predator' next year after he signed a contract to join the PFL (Professional Fighters League).

Despite the result being considered hugely controversial, McGregor is excited by what the future of the heavyweight boxing division holds after seeing a crossover contest go right to the wire.

Speaking to TNT Sport about Ngannou's third-round knockdown of Fury, McGregor said: "Lovely shot caught him at the back of the top, extra off steadiness as effectively however truthful play to Tyson. He is a troublesome man, sturdy chin and Ngannou is a robust boy as effectively, Tyson couldn’t harm him! He was simply lacking with that again hand. Great combat, nice to observe.

"Heavyweight boxing is exciting, especially from ringside. That’s two I’ve seen ringside now, Anthony Joshua against the Finnish guy [Robert Helenius] and now I've seen Fury. Some great fights in the boxing heavyweight division, it's on fire at the minute.

"Add [Oleksandr] Usyk into that, it will be a troublesome ask for Fury as effectively, but additionally add Ngannou into that. I want all of them effectively, truthful play to them, it’s a loopy recreation and I'm off to the fitness center trigger the Mac Daddy is coming residence."