This past Saturday we learned that Francis Ngannou relinquished the Heavyweight Championship and has become a free agent. There has been a lot of mystery behind where Francis is going to fight next. Today, on Ariel Helwani's Special Tuesday Edition of the MMA Hour, Ariel interviewed Francis Ngannou to allow Francis to tell us his side of the story of what happened this past weekend. The interview began with questions about what the UFC had offered Ngannou. Francis said they offered him a three-fight deal but didn't really discuss the numbers. Ngannou did say to fight Jones at UFC 285 was a typical fight contract for him. Ngannou wanted to fight Jones twice and finish his trilogy with Stipe Miocic with those three fights.
However, the real story is about what the UFC did not offer Francis. Ngannou claimed it wasn't really about the money. For a company that produces a sport where their athletes literally fight each other, you would think they would have their athletes' health insurance covered. Especially when only 12% of the company's income is actual fighter pay. Where does the other 88% go? Regardless, Francis didn't just ask for himself. In a selfless act, knowing the UFC would refuse him, Francis wanted the UFC to cover all fighters' health care. Francis also wanted to be allowed to have sponsorships. The UFC does not allow their fighters to have sponsorships, we know this. Ngannou seemed to want to stir up a lot of changes in the UFC. As we know, Francis has expressed a lot of interest in boxing. The UFC continues to refuse to allow the baddest man on the planet to box. Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou could have been promoted just like Mayweather vs McGregor. Yet, Dana White just does not like Francis. Why? Not even Francis knows. The beef between Dana and Francis extends back to 2018 when Dana said that Ngannou's ego has blown up. Francis said today that he has tried to ask Dana over time what he did and Dana never really gave him a response. Dana has also recently said "if you don't want to be here, you don't have to be here" regarding his UFC Fighters. Francis laughed and said that statement is not true. It also can't be true when the UFC has a contract clause that states they can match whatever contract you receive from another company for up to a year and they will retain you.
What's up with this Dana White guy? He did a great job building the UFC, but it might be time for someone else to maintain the UFC. Losing a star like Francis is crazy, but when you see how little the UFC does for their fighters, it isn't that crazy. Look at the Bryce Mitchell story from a few weeks ago, he claims that he took the fight against Topuria because of his bank account.
Yet, with all the things the UFC refused to do for Francis, he still took the time on Helwani's show to thank the UFC and all they have done for him. Francis is truly humble and someone who seems to be a great role model. In Francis's words, he needs freedom, to feel like a man and control his own destiny. Coming from a man who literally fought for his freedom and overcome the struggles that he did, that is powerful. If you don't know Ngannou's life story it is certainly worth researching.
Francis also acknowledged that he is happy. He later stated, "I am the champion, I am the baddest man on the planet." In truth, he is. No one beat him for that UFC title.
As for Ngannou's future? Well, that's still up in the air. He is certainly going to have his options as he very well could be the largest free agent in MMA history. He will bring fans wherever he goes. He said he plans to box while continuing to fight in MMA. There are a few companies who will allow that, PFL being one of them. Speaking of the PFL, Francis also said that his mother's PFL shirt seen on Instagram was "very random." Maybe, this is Bellator's chance to take back their claim as number two.
Regardless of where Francis "The Predator" Ngannou chooses to fight next, I am going to follow and wish him good fortune in the fights to come!
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