Francis Ngannou is holding firm on his contract demands to the UFC.
In January, Ngannou won his UFC Heavyweight Title with an unanimous win over Ciryl Gane in UFC 270. Ngannou, who was openly expressing his dissatisfaction with UFC’s treatment of him as champion, spoke out after the fight. Ngannou recently revealed that, since he had voiced his concerns with UFC officials, top UFC officials made efforts to settle their differences.
“Just after we spoke we had a meeting, a dinner with the UFC and that wasn’t about the contract situation, it was just to clear the air, because it is clear that at this point, we had to clear the air,” Ngannou told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour. It was just a way to get things out. It was a conversation in which I shared my frustrations, and I also had to return home. This is not something that can be resolved over a single night, or even one or two meals. I think it might take some time…
” I [also] enjoyed a meal with Hunter [Campbell] last week and it was wonderful. It was a friendly dinner with no business. We haven’t moved forward in business. I think, just now, what we’re trying to do is clear the air.”
But though they’ve been working on it, Ngannou appeared unsure of whether or not his differences with the UFC could actually be solved, saying “there is a lot of work to do here,” but allowing that the problems they are facing are entirely business related, not personal.
“Dana White attended the first,” Ngannou stated. It was a personal affair and did not have anything to do with business. Personally, I don’t feel any ill will towards anyone. The problem I have is with the business aspect, and it isn’t going well. While I would like the best for myself, in business terms, I believe we can achieve the most personal and professional relationship. However, we must also address the business side
Though Ngannou has previously noted multiple issues with the UFC, including pay and promotion, the biggest one that appears to be a blocker for their continued relationship is the specter of professional boxing. Ngannou has repeatedly said that he wants the opportunity to box heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, who appears equally as interested. Ngannou was actually present at Fury’s bout against Dillian Whyte this weekend. After Fury had defended his heavyweight title, Fury invited “The Gypsy King”, Ngannou to the ring. The two cut a promo about the superfight. Ngannou has now retracted his earlier statements that he would not resign from the UFC unless they allowed him to continue boxing.
“The Tyson Fury fight has to be part of the discussion,” Ngannou said. “That’s not an option. It has to be part of the discussion, because if that’s not part of the discussion now, it will never be. If I sign another contract now, and basically the same model of a contract, I’m screwed. This is not a common occurrence. We need to find a way for this to be implemented into a contract .”
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The UFC has made this exception before, allowing Conor McGregor to box Floyd Mayweather in one of the biggest superfights in history, but thus far, the promotion has seemed cool to the idea of doing so for Ngannou. In this instance though, with Ngannou’s contract up and free agency looming, the heavyweight champion can simply wait the UFC out and then pursue the matchup with Fury next year, without the UFC getting any cut of it. In fact, many have suggested this is exactly what Ngannou should do so as to maximize his payday for the fight, however, the heavyweight champion says he does want to re-sign with the UFC because even though he wants to box, he still has big fights left in the organization he wants to pursue as well.
” I think that the UFC has a fantastic promotion, and I would like to continue fighting,” Ngannou stated. Tyson Fury will not be my last fight. I want to keep fighting after Tyson Fury. There are still many fights. Jon Jones is available, and there’s also a trio with Stipe . I have a big fight in my hands for the UFC. I’d love that. I would really like also to get to a common point. Although I am capable of Tyson Fury by myself, what about the next step? I would like to keep fighting. I would like for us to come to an agreement, but for that they have to have a good understanding of the situation.”
Whether or not the UFC will come to the understanding is anyone’s guess. Ngannou is still bound to promotion, and therefore, Fury and he have not had any official discussions. However, one way or another, Ngannou remains absolutely convinced that he and Fury are destined to meet inside the ring one day.
“My contract situation is not a roadblock because either way, my contract situation will not stop me from fighting,” Ngannou said. It’s easy, I believe.
