Tom Aspinall likes the idea of boxing Francis Ngannou when his UFC career ends.
The UFC heavyweight champion has been constantly met with questions about a switch to the squared circle during his title reign.
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Aspinall is currently recovering from a brutal eye injury he sustained in his last fight against Ciryl GaneCredit: Getty
Aspinall told talkSPORT.com in October that he would transition to boxing if he were in a good place to do so.
The 32-year-old has now said that he would be keen on fighting former UFC heavyweight champion and current PFL star Francis Ngannou if the opportunity arises.
In a video with Tommy Fury on his YouTube channel, Aspinall was asked by the British boxer whether a permanent move to the sport could come in the future.
Tom Aspinall: I like the idea of boxing Francis Ngannou
“I wouldn’t try to be a world champion,” Aspinall, who had a successful professional boxing debut in 2017, responded.
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“You need to dedicate your whole life, don’t you? To be a world champion.
“I was [good at boxing], but I’ve spent my whole life doing MMA now.
“I’m nearly 33 now, so for me to be 33 and think I’m gonna win a world title in boxing is unrealistic.”
Fury highlighted Aspinall’s freakish speed and agility as a heavyweight, which has led to six first-round KOs in the UFC and the shortest average fight time in the promotion.
Aspinall continued: “I reckon I could have a couple of not freak-show fights, [but] big fights with a big name or something.
“I wouldn’t mind boxing an MMA fighter.”
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Aspinall’s first undisputed heavyweight title defence ended in a no-contest, as the champion was poked in both eyesCredit: Getty
Fury then suggested that Ngannou would be a great opponent for Aspinall to step into the ring with.
“I think that would be good – I like it,” Aspinall responded.
“[But]I’ve got fights in the UFC to do first.”
Aspinall is currently out of action, having been diagnosed with Brown’s syndrome following his first undisputed heavyweight title defence against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321.
Gane poked Aspinall in both eyes in the first round, and the bout was ruled a no-contest, as the champion could no longer see out of one eye.
UFC CEO Dana White is looking to book the rematch as soon as possible, but Aspinall could be out for months.
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Aspinall vs Ngannou in boxing is not an unrealistic proposition, given the current landscape of the sportCredit: Getty
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Ngannou shocked the world when he dropped Tyson Fury in a split decision defeat to ‘The Gypsy King’ before Anthony Joshua knocked him out in his second pro fightCredit: Getty
Ngannou, meanwhile, has one fight left on his PFL contract, and said this past weekend that he was ready to face PFL heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov.
Nemkov made easy work of Ngannou’s last MMA opponent, Renan Ferreira, at PFL Lyon on Saturday night and called out Ngannou after his win.
Having previously mentioned Jon Jones and Deontay Wilder as ideal opponents next, Ngannou is now expected to see out his PFL contract before moving back into boxing.
‘The Predator’ contested two lucrative bouts with Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in his first pro fights.
A clash with Aspinall in the future wouldn’t come as a great surprise, given the current landscape of modern boxing.
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Joshua, for example, faces YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul on December 19.
Francis Ngannou reveals two-man hitlist and confirms PFL contract expires before UFC White House
‘AJ’ knocked out Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium on April 29, 2017 – the same day Paul was crowned the ‘Favourite Social Media Star’ at the Radio Disney Music Awards.