Awkward moment Francis Ngannou almost BLANKS Eminem as rap superstar rocks up in Riyadh for Tyson Fury megafight

FRANCIS NGANNOU awkwardly almost blanked Eminem as the rap superstar rocked up in Riyadh for the MMA great’s megafight with Tyson Fury.

The ex-UFC champion collides with the WBC heavyweight title holder in a crossover boxing bout in Saudi Arabia tonight.

TNT BoxingFrancis Ngannou awkwardly blanked Eminem in Riyadh last night[/caption]

TNT BoxingThe fighter’s coach pointed out the rap star but he still had to double take[/caption]

TNT BoxingNgannou’s expression then quickly changed as he embraced Eminem[/caption]

TNT BoxingThe two megastars then posed together for a snap at the Riyadh bash[/caption]

The 35-year-old Gypsy King’s belt will not be contested but he is putting his undefeated record on the line in the much-maligned showdown.

His Cameroon-born opponent, who left UFC last year and has now signed with fellow MMA promotion Professional Fighters League, has been trained by boxing legend “Iron” Mike Tyson for the clash in Las Vegas.

Both stars are now in the Middle East and they came face-to-face on Thursday for what has been billed as the Battle of the Baddest.

Stars from all over the world have flown in for the bout, with Cristiano Ronaldo leading the list of big names.

Many of the celebrities attended a Gala dinner at the St Regis Hotel last night, with the ex-Manchester United ace joined by his namesake, former Brazilian international Ronaldo at the event.

There was also another huge megastar in attendance, none other than Eminem.

However, Ngannou had to double take after initially ignoring the American rapper.

A clip emerged on social media from yesterday’s bash that showed “The Predator” walking past Eminem before his coach, Dewey Cooper, grabbed Ngannou’s attention.

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He appeared to say in the clip: “Em! That’s Eminem.”

Ngannou’s team then pointed out Eminem to him, but the grappler still appeared oblivious until he took a second look and then his expression hilariously changed as they shared an embrace and later posed for a snap.

Meanwhile, former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand also made an appearance on the red carpet.

Mike Tyson also joined the A-listers, who would later all pose with the two fighters for a huge group photo together with a boxing glove on one hand.