In a surprising turn of events, former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson has voiced his support for Francis Ngannou's move to boxing following his impressive debut against heavyweight boxing sensation Tyson Fury. Johnson, who accurately predicted Ngannou's knockdown of Fury, believes that Ngannou's talents are better suited for the boxing ring.

The highly anticipated crossover match between former UFC heavyweight champion Ngannou and renowned boxer Fury took place in Saudi Arabia this Saturday. Despite ultimately losing in a close split decision, Ngannou showcased his formidable skills and resilience throughout the encounter, even managing to knock Fury down in the third round.

Expressing his admiration for Ngannou's performance, Johnson, the current ONE Championship bantamweight title holder, conveyed his belief that Ngannou should continue riding his momentum in the world of boxing. "What's next for Francis? I don't think I want to see Francis do mixed martial arts," Johnson stated on his YouTube channel. "I know that might be hard to hear, but I don't see why PFL cannot do boxing."

Ngannou, who recently signed with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) after parting ways with the UFC, has expressed his intention to compete in both boxing and MMA moving forward. However, Johnson firmly believes that Ngannou has nothing left to prove in the world of mixed martial arts.

"I want to see Francis box," Johnson emphasized. "I don't want to see him do mixed martial arts. We've seen him do mixed martial arts. He's beaten the best in the world in that sport and has been a world champion. There's nothing left for him to do in that arena. I want to see him do boxing. He's going to make big money in boxing. He could fight Anthony Joshua, he could fight Deontay Wilder. The gates have just opened up."

Indeed, Ngannou's formidable performance against Tyson Fury has opened doors for him in the boxing world. His potential matchups against boxing royalty, such as Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder, have already ignited anticipation and generated excitement among fans.

While Ngannou has expressed his desire to compete in both sports, the endorsement from a respected figure like Demetrious Johnson may influence his ultimate decision. Only time will tell which path Ngannou will choose, but his foray into the boxing arena has certainly captivated the attention of sports enthusiasts worldwide.