Aspinall calls him and Ngannou 'a 50-50 fight'

UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall believes he'd have his work cut out for him if he ever got the chance to step into the cage with Francis Ngannou.

"That's a good fight," Aspinall said in a video published Thursday on his YouTube channel. "That's a great fight. Always been a big fan of Francis. Love his story, love what he's all about. I think it's a 50-50 fight, to be honest. Francis is a scary man."

Ngannou is scheduled to face Renan Ferreira in the main event of PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The fight will mark the former UFC heavyweight champ's return to MMA after more than two-and-a-half years.

Aspinall has emerged as one of the sport's top heavyweights since Ngannou left the UFC as a free agent in January 2023. The Englishman captured the interim title last November before defending it this past summer with a 60-second knockout of Curtis Blaydes.

Although it's unlikely Ngannou and Aspinall will ever square off now that they're in different promotions, it's become somewhat of a dream matchup among MMA fans - and Aspinall ultimately believes his technical ability would lift him over Ngannou.

"I think, technically, I would take the edge," Aspinall said. "But I think that's a great fight."

Aspinall is next in line for a shot at the UFC heavyweight title once reigning champion Jon Jones faces off with Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 on Nov. 16 at New York's Madison Square Garden. The 31-year-old will weigh in as a backup for that fight.