Feared UFC heavyweight puncher Francis Ngannou has reacted to the recent statements that were made by Dillian Whyte.

Whyte was a professional kickboxer and became a two-time British heavyweight champion by winning the BIKMA super heavyweight British title and the European K1 championship. He had a 20-1 record under K-1.

He also had a professional MMA bout, when he made his mixed martial arts debut for Ultimate Challenge MMA on December 6, 2008 - with a demolition of Mark Stroud in only 12 seconds into the first round.

Whyte believes he has more than enough in his arsenal to topple UFC heavyweights like Francis Ngannou and champion Stipe Miocic.

One UFC fighter that Whyte verbally blasted was Ngannou.

“I have called Ngannou a coward because, for a guy who is 6'4 and 18 stone, he has not shown enough heart in his two defeats. He was on a ten fight win streak, mostly first round wins against journeymen, and as soon as he stepped up he lost twice, when people did not just stand there and let him hit them," Whyte said to The Sun.

“Ngannou said he would fancy a boxing match but I notice he didn’t mention my name even after I publicly called him a coward. Says it all really. However, I like the sound of stepping over to the UFC, seeing what sort of deal could be done. Becoming heavyweight champion in both is something no one has ever come close to doing before.”

Ngannou has demolished his last four opponents, three of them in less than a minute and one in 71 seconds.

He would be willing to fight Whyte in a boxing match - but he is not convinced that the British boxer would meet him under MMA rules.

"I know Anthony Joshua but Dillian Whyte? I only heard about him when people sent me articles about him. I didn't know him before. Everyone says what they want. I don't think anything about that. If he wants to fight MMA we will find out [if I'm a coward]," Ngannou said to Sky Sports.

"Yes, I would have a boxing match. Whoever is possible and whenever is possible. The top heavyweights. I am always confident in my power. I have no doubts with my power."

Whyte is waiting for a finalized date and location for his showdown with Alexander Povetkin. The fight was scheduled to take place this month, with the event being postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.