Over the years, just looking back on talking to other sherbros about Ngannou, I feel like I held higher opinion of Ngannou than most others. I really felt like Ngannou was more than just power, he had timing, speed, footwork for a big guy, power, strong, powerful, and developed a great TDD as well. To this day, I think Jones was shook by Ngannou, and believe that Ngannou would have sent Jones to the deepest depth of a shadow realm and Jones knew this. I know what happened to Gane, but match ups make fights. Gane and Ngannou can't be any more different. Gane was always going to be a difficult fight for Ngannou.
But Ngannou, if honest, never developed any hardcore followings like PRIDE legends. He never had much of that. The guy never went mainstream either, nor did he have much title defense to speak of. Lots of people don't give him credit for some of his wins as well, though I tend to do so and believe that his HW resume is arguably up there with the best.
For me, I don't consider Ngannou a legend. For me, I consider Ngannou a great fighter who had a great run in UFC heavyweight division and that's really about it. I just saw Fury interview and he looks in phenomenal shape. Ngannou is going to get the drubbing of his life and he will likely lose whatever appeal he had, if at all, to the public. I questioned his choice right after, and I'm still of an opinion he made a mistake. He's getting 2 million more for this Fury fight which will be the biggest beating of his existence, but he could've gotten paid 8 million 7 months ago and then fight again, so he would've made more money during this span and wouldn't have taken 1/100th damage he will this weekend. And mind you, he only has two fights with PFL for 4 million each.
All in all, I think Ngannou's legacy as a fighter is, a fighter who was a great, albeit one dimensional, HW fighter who had a terrific career in UFC, but who overplayed his hand for greater perceived financial gain. No more or no less. Just wonder what Sherbros think.
What is Ngannou's legacy in MMA in your eyes?