Chael Sonnen doesn’t think Dana White could have been too happy after seeing his heavyweight champion in the boxing ring this past weekend.
Since becoming the official baddest man on the planet in March 2021, it’s been made abundantly clear that Francis Ngannou and the UFC have been struggling to get on the same page. The Cameroonian-born knockout artist has continually expressed his interest in getting paid what he’s worth as well as his hopes of stepping into the squared circle to compete.
Ngannou’s specific target at present is that of dominant heavyweight boxing kingpin, Tyson Fury who just scored a sixth-round TKO over Dillian Whyte. Immediately following the victory, the undefeated 32-0-1 Fury announced his retirement from the sport as Ngannou entered the ring to tease their potential crossover “hybrid” matchup.
“I imagine Dana felt betrayed,” Sonnen stated on his YouTube Channel .. “He probably had his feelings hurt. Although he wouldn’t tell you what he felt, or tell you that he wasn’t interested in you at all, it’s likely he would. But he probably was betrayed a little bit. Francis Ngannou was there [watching Fury]. Francis knew he was going, Francis is under contract with Dana. Did Francis’ team let Dana know he was gonna be there? That he was gonna get in the ring for somebody else? That this was gonna be broadcast around the world? Because when Francis got in there, the announcers were already queued. They knew what to do .”
, and that was something the announcers were able to tell Francis.
Things can get even more exciting behind-the scenes, as Ngannou is very vocal about what he wants. Though, due to his situation with the UFC, “The Predator” needs them to play ball in one way or the other.
Conor McGregor was permitted to box Floyd Mayweather, the most famous example of such a crossover. White, of course, aided in the promotion of the spectacle event. Other recent cases, such as Georges St Pierre trying to box Oscar De La Hoya. However, UFC boss didn’t allow him to do so because he stopped St-Pierre returning to the ring when asked.
” This is going to be as smooth as both parties want it to,” Sonnen stated. “I don’t know what Francis’ contract is in full disclosure. However, I do know the contents of my contract and what every other fighter at that time said. They were all boilerplate. You just changed the fee, you changed the execution dates, and you inserted a name. In my case, Chael Sonnen, and I had what everybody else had.
” These contracts don’t just end as the media leads you to believe. You guys have been led to believe it’s the December of this calendar, so Francis can leave. That’s not the contract I had.”
TOP STORIES
Negotiations. Francis Ngannou states that resigning from the UFC with no chance to box Tyson Fury’s is not an option .’
$$$. Dan Hardy – Add all of my UFC paychecks and you’ll see that I make more boxing match against Diego Sanchez.
Arrival. Ben Rothwell joins BKFC, after UFC split.
Controversy. Dean Barry: Mike Jackson ‘took the easy way out’ with disqualification victory.
Title. Scott Coker open to Liz Carmouche vs. Juliana Velasquez rematch after controversial ending at Bellator 278.
VIDEO STEW
The MMA Hour.
Top 10 Featherweight Knockouts in UFC History.
A Classic Upset: Kevin Randleman Ends Fight With Shocking KO of Mirko Cro Cop.
Previewing the 30th season of The Ultimate Fighter.
A time Jon Jones knocked out a sparring partner.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Thanks.
I been trying to fight everybody and no go what’s the hold up ufc ?
I’m not fighting Conor he sucks.
I’ll fight some one quit slow rolling me please
Thanks— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) April 26, 2022
Durinho is down.
Fight me Nathan @NateDiaz209 https://t.co/DBkgEjl6S2
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) April 26, 2022
Hmm…
I hope @NateDiaz209 gets released soon.
There are loads of good options for him on the outside.
Who would you like to see him fight in his last @UFC bout?
— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) April 26, 2022
Multi-sport Weili.
Addressing the rematch.
Fight week!
Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano @Betfred | https://t.co/NXHk50XHVS pic.twitter.com/Nxon5JTKBi
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) April 25, 2022
Laura Oleynik.
Squad.
Political MMA!
It was so good seeing my friend @bjpenndotcom again – Hawaii’s first MMA superstar who paved the way and inspired so many young athletes to take up this sport. BTW he’s running for governor. He is running for governor if he wins. pic.twitter.com/2LSPSfe9BD
— Tulsi Gabbard (@TulsiGabbard) April 25, 2022
Throwback.
This is somehow funnier in 2022 than it was back in the day, and it was pretty funny back then.
“If you didn’t see me holding this knife, you could have been dead, my friend.” pic.twitter.com/5KgzPmRZx9
— Eduardo Martinez (@PharrFromHeaven) April 26, 2022
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Said Nurmagomedov (15-2) vs. Douglas Silva de Andrade (28-4); UFC Fight Night, July 9
FINAL THOUGHTS
I think Francis stays true to his guns throughout this entire situation. So he’ll either get his wish or we end up missing out on what could have been an awesome title reign. Thank you for reading.
EXIT POLL
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