Francis Ngannou shifts focus to Alistair Overeem, Fabricio Werdum: I want 'access to the title shot'

With former heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez recovering from surgery, Junior Dos Santos fighting Stipe Miocic, and Alistair Overeem recently victorious, Francis Ngannou is shifting his attention.

Velasquez was previously a target of the surging UFC heavyweight after his knockout win over Andrei Arlovski in January. But with Velasquez sidelined, that’s one top heavyweight off the list.

Of course, the recent developments in the big-man division haven’t changed Ngannou’s (10-1 MMA, 5-0 UFC) ultimate goal: He wants whatever opponent will get him to the title.

“For sure, I want to fight Overeem too,” he told MMAjunkie, referencing Overeem’s (42-15 MMA, 7-4 UFC) recent knockout win over Mark Hunt (12-11-1 MMA, 7-5-1 UFC) at UFC 209. “When I said I wanted to fight Cain before, they gave (Overeem to) Mark Hunt. I said I wanted to fight Overeem, Cain Velasquez or Junior Dos Santos.”

Ngannou was in London this past Saturday to take in UFC Fight Night 107, and he gave an update on his current conquest for the title backstage at The O2.

Dos Santos (18-4 MMA, 12-3 UFC) is now set to rematch champ Stipe Miocic (16-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) at UFC 211, which leaves Overeem as the prime candidate for Ngannou to unlock the gate to gold.

But the Cameroon-born fighter said he’d also take on the man who, until recently, was the No. 1 contender. Ex-champ Fabricio Werdum lost his spot in line after UFC President Dana White said he turned down two replacement fights following Velasquez’s removal from UFC 207 three months ago. Werdum (21-6-1 MMA, 9-3 UFC) was supposed to take on Ben Rothwell (36-10 MMA, 6-4 UFC) at UFC 211, but a pending anti-doping case is all but certain to scratch Rothwell.

“I want someone to fight who can give me access to the title shot,” Ngannou said.

Five straight UFC wins have made Ngannou the division’s hot prospect, and the No. 10 fighter in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA heavyweight rankings. White sung his praises in January after his knockout of Arlovski.

The ex-champ provided a bridge to the top of the division. Ngannou just wants to take that last step.

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