The Internet is currently overrun with all kinds of wild theories as to why Francis Ngannou decided to part ways with the biggest MMA promotion in the world. UFC President Dana White and Coach Eric Nicksick have all cited potential reasons but now “The Predator” himself has decided to speak up.
Earlier Dana appeared in the UFC Vegas 67 post-fight press conference to announce that Ngannou was no longer with the UFC. He said, “We are going to release (Francis Ngannou) from his contract. We are giving up the right to match. He can go wherever he wants and do whatever he wants.”
As for what offers were made, the UFC chief said, “We offered a deal to Francis that would’ve made him the highest-paid heavyweight in the history of the company, even more than Brock Lesnar, more than everybody. And he turned the deal down. We’re going to release him from his contract, give up our right to match.”
Dana elaborated further, “He can go wherever he wants, do whatever he wants. I think Francis is at a place right now, where he doesn’t want to take a risk. He feels like he can fight lesser opponents and make more money. The guy weighs over 300lb, just had knee surgery, and hasn’t had a real training camp. I think that probably has a lot to do with it.”
Dana White announces Francis Ngannou is released from his UFC contract 😳 #UFC pic.twitter.com/dxqdLVqqHR
— bjpenndotcom (@bjpenndotcom) January 15, 2023
Later, Francis appeared on The MMA hour show hosted by Ariel Helwani to share his side of the story.
What did Francis Ngannou say?
MMA reporter Aaron Bronsteter said on Twitter, “Ngannou says that the Jon Jones fight was in the ballpark of the $8 million that Brock Lesnar reportedly made for UFC 200 and that he had asked for a three-fight deal with no extension clauses.”
He further said, “Ngannou also asked for the right to have sponsorships (presumably in-cage), health insurance, an advocate in board meetings that would represent the fighters. He was fairly certain that he would not get those things, but wanted to make it known that those were things he wanted.”
What do you think is next for the Former Heavyweight champ?
