In a surprising turn of events, former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou made waves in the boxing world this past Saturday as he took on WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia. Despite not emerging as the victor in the split decision match, Ngannou's impressive performance has garnered support from fellow UFC fighter Daniel Cormier.

Earlier this year, Ngannou left the UFC while still holding the promotion's heavyweight title, as the two sides failed to reach an agreement on a new contract. Ngannou's desire to explore boxing opportunities became a sticking point, ultimately leading him to sign with the PFL, which provided him with the flexibility to pursue his boxing career.

While UFC CEO Dana White expressed criticism towards Ngannou's decision to join PFL, Cormier, who is now an ESPN show host on "DC & RC," strongly believes that Ngannou's remarkable boxing debut benefits the entire MMA community, including the UFC.

During his show, Cormier pointed out that numerous renowned mixed martial artists attended Ngannou's fight against Fury, including Junior dos Santos, Izzy Adesanya, Kamaru Usman, Chuck Liddell, and Randy Couture. The presence of these fighters showcases the admiration and respect Ngannou commands within the MMA world.

"There's this idea that the UFC is upset that Francis Ngannou did what he did. Why would they be? Francis Ngannou uplifted the entire sport last weekend," Cormier emphasized. "Francis Ngannou went out there as a mixed martial arts world champion and fought the lineal heavyweight champion of the world and lost by a split decision."

Although Cormier personally scored the fight 95-94 in favor of Fury, he clarified his statement by claiming that while Fury technically won the "boxing match," he did not win the overall fight. Cormier asserts that it was Ngannou who emerged as the victor, both in terms of the scorecards and in leaving a lasting impact on the audience.

"Even though Tyson Fury won the 'boxing match' because he won the 'boxing match,' he did not win a fight," Cormier stated. "He didn't win the fight against Francis Ngannou. Francis won that. He won the 'boxing match,' and he won the scorecards. Who ultimately lost the night was Tyson Fury. Francis won."

Cormier's show of support for Ngannou's transition to boxing serves as a testament to the cross-disciplinary appeal and talent within the MMA community. As the sport continues to evolve, Ngannou's performance has undoubtedly opened doors for MMA fighters to explore different avenues, further enhancing the sport's global presence.

While the alleged discontent of the UFC regarding Ngannou's venture into boxing remains a point of speculation, Cormier's assertion that the UFC would benefit from Ngannou's success sends a message of unity and mutual support within the MMA industry. As Ngannou's journey unfolds, the impact of his achievements in both boxing and MMA will undoubtedly continue to shape the sport's landscape.

In the end, Ngannou's exceptional boxing skills and his ability to captivate audiences have redefined the boundaries of what fighters can achieve in their careers. As for the UFC, their response to Ngannou's boxing success remains to be seen, as fans and pundits eagerly await the next chapter in this remarkable story.