When Francis Ngannou had his hand raised after winning the first decision of his career in the UFC 270 main event, the heavyweight title was wrapped back around his waist – except UFC President Dana White was nowhere to be found.
Instead, UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard put the title on Ngannou before he gave his post-fight interview to Joe Rogan in the cage. White had previously handed the flyweight title to Deiveson Figueiredo following his win over Brandon Moreno, but he was conspicuous by his absence while Ngannou was celebrating the win over Ciryl Gane on Saturday night.
“I don’t know. You have to ask him,” Ngannou said when asked why White didn’t stick around to put the belt around his waist. “No, I did not have anything to do about that. I think that was their decision. I’m about to ask about that, too.”
Of course, Ngannou has been engaged in a very public battle with the UFC over his contract after failing to come to terms with the promotion on a new deal prior to Saturday night. Ngannou actually won his contract by beating Gane. However, the terms of Ngannou’s current contract are still not known due to the “champion clause” the UFC usually retains on any belt-holding fighter in the promotion.
In addition to White not appearing in the cage to give Ngannou his belt, the UFC president was also missing in action at the post-fight press conference as well. White is a consistent presence at the post-fight press conferences, especially following a UFC pay-per-view like the one that took place in Anaheim this weekend.
“Wow, OK, I didn’t know that, too,” Ngannou said after he was told about White skipping the press conference.
Prior to his fight, Ngannou couldn’t give any kind of prediction about his future and that hadn’t changed much just because he was victorious in the UFC 270 main event.
Ngannou’s agent Marquel Martin works at Creative Artists Agency, (CAA), a talent agency which is also well-known to rival the UFC owners at Endeavor. He previously stated that it was been several months since he last spoke to anyone at the promotion to discuss a deal to make the heavyweight champion a better deal.
“I’ve wondered for a while about what the future holds for me in this company,” Ngannou stated. So, nothing has changed. “I’m in the exact same place.
“I’ve been going to the UFC a lot so I’d kind of like exhausted all my options.”
Ngannou has vehemently stated that his struggle to come to terms with the UFC on a new deal went far beyond money, although he admits that always plays some part in negotiations.
According to the California State Athletic Commission, Ngannou was paid $600,000 for his win at UFC 270, although that figure doesn’t including any pay-per-view or discretionary bonuses paid out after the event is over.
“It’s not simply money,” Ngannou said about his problems with the UFC. It’s not just money that is part of the problem, but the terms of the contract are also something I disagree with. I don’t feel like it’s fair. It doesn’t feel free. It doesn’t seem like I was treated well. Although it is unfortunate that I am in that position, I believe that everyone should be entitled to make the best decision for himself.
“We put in a lot of effort to this job. It is a physically demanding job that requires a lot of effort. We can at least have fair and equal .”
Based on his contract, Ngannou stated “I believe so”, when asked whether he would be exempt from all obligations if it was 2022 over without any fights in the UFC. Then, at that time, he’d hit free agency.
While sitting for so long can be frustrating, Ngannou expressed frustration with UFC many times over his inactivity. He doesn’t think this will change.
” In the last three years I have fought 3 times. What does this mean? Once a year?” Ngannou said. It wouldn’t seem strange. It’s not something that I am frustrated with. I’m at peace with myself and my decisions.”
While it is possible that Ngannou may have already competed at the UFC in his final fight, it doesn’t mean that he will close any doors.
Ngannou doesn’t know what the future holds for him, but he isn’t compromising on his contractual requirements. This could leave him in a bind when it comes time to an UFC career.
” I’ve stated my willingness to remain in the UFC and to have a contractual just to be respect,” Ngannou explained. The only reason we are here is that I was not respected at one point. He could have done a lot more to make this happen, but instead he got everyone frustrated and made me lose my desire to do things.
“I get in this sport, I didn’t grow up dreaming about this sport. It was just fun. You eventually reach a point where the sport is not enjoyable, and it becomes frustrating. This can cause a lot of mental confusion. But I’m pretty good trying to stay focused, just think about the sport and nothing around it and hope that things are going to go right.”
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