For much of 2021, Israel Adesanya, Francis Ngannou and Kamaru Usman were a united front of African-born UFC champions. Their success promised to bring the octagon to their native country for the first time in history.
Cut to 2023, and none of the three fighters hold a UFC title, though in Ngannou’s situation, he never lost the belt. Before he left UFC 284,, the former heavyweight champion sought a better contract. Adesanya backstage expressed support for Ngannou, but he did not win it.
“Francis was right,” Adesanya stated at RAC Arena, Perth, Australia. “He’s the one that kicked in the door. He’s the one we all have been supporting, and this has been going on for how many years, so if you want to go back, check out these tapes.
“I’ve been saying the same thing. Although I won’t harp about it, he is correct that it’s small things. He’s asking for mandatory things. He was not asking for crazy or ridiculous, divaish requests. It’s as simple as the men fighting for the opening [bout], with the fourth and third cornermen being paid for, as well as the hotel being paid for. That sets them up nicely, and they don’t have to fork it out of their 10 and 10, to pay for their fourth or third corner. Little things like that.”
Ngannou requested that the UFC allow fighters to seek outside sponsors and provide insurance. He also asked for a way to invite a fighter advocate into negotiations. The 36-year-old champ said he didn’t expect to receive all of his wishes. But as it turned out, everything but the raise he was offered was a non-starter in negotiations. So instead of re-signing, he walked away into free agency.
Adesanya, who lost the belt this past November in a meeting with two-time kickboxing foe Alex Pereira, has called for better pay for UFC newcomers. Ngannou’s UFC 270 title defense pay was also called “atrocious .”
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“He’s not being a diva,” Adesanya said of Ngannou. “He’s asking for reasonable demands, and I felt like he should have got them. However, stated that “That’s not the way we do businesses.” But, also said, “That’s just how we do things.” The reality is, however, that this has to change. It will. You never know what your future may hold. He is just someone to open the doors. He might come back, or something .”
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White wasn’t as positive about Ngannou’s future. He claimed that the champion heavyweight wanted to face inferior opponents outside of the UFC, rather than fight the best in the octagon. Ngannou rejected that notion and stated that he would only accept a promotion that respected his contribution to the UFC.
“I think he’ll come back [to the UFC], Adesanya offered. “He’s the greatest heavyweight we’ve ever had. He’s not just the UFC champion, but also in all of history. He left on his own terms with the belt, never lost it. … He’s going to box as well in other sports, so I believe he will. It’s an enormous hit for the company. I know he’ll be back, though. He’ll be back.”
Asked if a UFC visit to Africa wouldn’t be complete without Ngannou Adesanya assured that the heavyweight representative from the “Three Kings”, will return.
Source: https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/2/12/23596310/israel-adesanya-supports-francis-ngannou-hes-not-being-a-diva?rand=96749
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