Francis Ngannou, UFC heavyweight champion, admits that it is a "great honour" to be compared with boxing legend Mike Tyson.
During his six-year UFC tenure, the Cameroonian earned a strong reputation for being one of the most brutal knockout artists in combat sports.
UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is known for being a fierce KO artist
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Ngannou's fierceness in the cage has seen him regain the fearsome aura Tyson enjoyed in the late 1980s, early 1990s.
It is an immense source of pride to 'The Predator,' that his name has been mentioned in the same light like a prime Tyson.
SunSport spoke with the 34-year old this week.
"That's honorable to be compared to Mike Tyson."
Ngannou isn't content to be compared to Iron Mike, although he loves the comparisons.
He stated that he would not say it was his ultimate goal but that it is something he wanted. Mike Tyson is my greatest fighter and [greatest] boxer. I get Mike Tyson all day long."
Despite this, the former refugee is thrilled to be mentioned in the same breath with the ex-undisputed heavyweight champion.
With a wry smile, he said: "So to reach that point in my career, it's just amazing, man." It's great stuff.
Ngannou fell in love with boxing when his former coach Fernand Lopez, who will be facing him this weekend, encouraged him to try mixed martial arts.
UFC's first African-born champion heavyweight has ambitions to enter the squared circle. He has set his sights on a big showdown with Tyson Fury.
He believes that a big-money fight with The Gypsy King is possible after he defends his title.
When asked how confident he was about a fight against the WBC heavyweight champion, he responded: "Out of ten?"
Let's say eight. Why not nine? To be conservative.
Before Ngannou can consider a move into boxing, he must first finish his UFC 270 heavyweight title unification fight with Ciryl Gane, his former sparring partner.
They have been training together at the MMA Factory in Paris and are now friends. Gane claims that he has 'improved' since they were training together.
SunSport was informed by Bon Gamin that he believes the team has improved 100 percent.
"We have made significant improvements - both on his and my part.
"At this point, I felt like I was really fortunate because I just started in MMA, and I can spare with a guy who is already in the top five."
"So, I believe today that it's going be a little different. This has given me a lot more confidence."
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