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Aspinall calls him and Ngannou 'a 50-50 fight'

Richard Sellers - PA Images / PA Images / Getty

UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall believes he'd have his work cut out for him if he ever got the chance to step into the cage with Francis Ngannou.

"That's a good fight," Aspinall said in a video published Thursday on his YouTube channel. "That's a great fight. Always been a big fan of Francis. Love his story, love what he's all about. I think it's a 50-50 fight, to be honest. Francis is a scary man."

Ngannou is scheduled to face Renan Ferreira in the main event of PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The fight will mark the former UFC heavyweight champ's return to MMA after more than two-and-a-half years.

Aspinall has emerged as one of the sport's top heavyweights since Ngannou left the UFC as a free agent in January 2023. The Englishman captured the interim title last November before defending it this past summer with a 60-second knockout of Curtis Blaydes.

Although it's unlikely Ngannou and Aspinall will ever square off now that they're in different promotions, it's become somewhat of a dream matchup among MMA fans - and Aspinall ultimately believes his technical ability would lift him over Ngannou.

"I think, technically, I would take the edge," Aspinall said. "But I think that's a great fight."

Aspinall is next in line for a shot at the UFC heavyweight title once reigning champion Jon Jones faces off with Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 on Nov. 16 at New York's Madison Square Garden. The 31-year-old will weigh in as a backup for that fight.

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