Conor McGregor: Oleksandr Usyk an ask for Tyson Fury, but he's not 'as powerful as Francis Ngannou'

Conor McGregor thinks Francis Ngannou has unique power – even as a boxer.

Former UFC heavyweight champion Ngannou knocked down Tyson Fury, but lost a close split decision in their crossover boxing match Saturday in Saudi Arabia.

McGregor commended Fury for withstanding Ngannou’s power and doesn’t see his next opponent, Oleksandr Usyk, presenting the same type of danger in their title-unification bout.

“I’ll tell you what, heavyweight boxing is awesome and add Ngannou into that mix now because there will be no trouble to make Ngannou-(Anthony) Joshua, Ngannou-(Derek) Chisora here beside me,” McGregor told TNT Sports Boxing. “There will be no issue. … There’s another heavyweight contender in the mix in Ngannou. Well done.

“Tyson has a chin on him – Jesus Christ. Usyk is an ask now, but I don’t think Usyk is as powerful as Ngannou. I’m telling you, Ngannou has been sending heads to the ceiling in mixed martial arts. See those uppercuts in the clinch?”

McGregor thinks Fury also deserves credit for venturing into the unknown of boxing a debuting Ngannou.

“Great fight,” McGregor said. “Francis was strong, structured, patient. Tyson didn’t know what was coming and how to deal with him or what to expect, so you have to take your hat off to Tyson Fury.

“Reigning king of boxing, heavyweight division, comes against an unknown, strong power puncher, more of a striker than a mixed martial artist in Francis Ngannou – fair play to both men. The fans won that. Who won between them? The fans. That’s it. I don’t care. Business.”

For more on the matchup, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Fury vs. Ngannou.