"Close to bare-knuckle" - Tyson Fury was urged to "man the f***up" and face Francis Ngannou with 4oz UFC gloves

TYSON FURY was urged to'man up' and face Francis Ngannou with 4oz UFC gloves.

Recent online feuding between MMA and boxing champions has led to talk of a cross-over fight.

UFC middleweight Sean Strickland would like to see Ngannou, the Gypsy King, honor his roots and wear thinner UFC gloves.

Strickland, 30 years old, told Helen Yee Sports that they are MMA fighters. It's not boxers, there's a distinct difference.

"I believe Tyson Fury should be a man of his word, he should be a man of his word.

He's a "Gypsy King", he loves to wear bare-knuckle. He should make changes to the rules and do four-ounce gloves.

"Because that is what you say, show it off to the world with Francis, then he will be able to make the 'go to f*** yourself,' money and everyone will be happy.

"But I believe that if this is the case, Francis has a legitimate chance at knocking out The Gypsy King'."

Fury, 33, teased himself about a boxing match using UFC gloves in the past, and called for a "clash of heavyweight titans".

Ngannou, 35 years old, has no remaining fights on his UFC contract, but as champion, has a clause that keeps he contracted for an additional year.

If he doesn't want to fight again, his dream move in boxing is only 12 months away.

Ngannou previously demanded a raise in his salary and a stipulation that would allow him to box simultaneously.

After suffering a torn ACL and MCL in his 31-year-old win over Ciryl Gane (31), the Cameroonian will now undergo surgery to repair his knee.