Francis Ngannou News
Curtis Blaydes explains why he believes Francis Ngannou has a better shot in boxing compared to Conor McGregor
Harry Kettle - April 21, 2023
Curtis Blaydes has explained why he thinks former opponent Francis Ngannou has a better shot in boxing than Conor McGregor did. This weekend, Curtis Blaydes will take on Sergei Pavlovich in a blockbuster heavyweight collision. It will serve as his latest attempt to force himself into the title conversation.
Floyd Mayweather open to helping Francis Ngannou with boxing transition: "I would love to work with him"
Lewis Simpson - April 20, 2023
Floyd Mayweather recently expressed willingness to help Francis Ngannou with his highly-anticipated boxing transition. Ngannou decided to part ways with the UFC as the then-heavyweight champion after failing to agree with the company. As per White, Ngannou rejected a deal that would have made him the highest-paid heavyweight in the promotion’s history.
Demetrious Johnson hits back at critics who believe Francis Ngannou made a mistake leaving the UFC: "I've been successful"
Josh Evanoff - April 19, 2023
ONE Championship flyweight titleholder Demetrious Johnson knows you don’t need to be in the UFC to have success. ‘Mighty Mouse’ is currently slated to face Adriano Moraes next month at ONE Fight Night 10. The two flyweights will headline the promotion’s maiden voyage to America, as the event will go down in Colorado. In their first outing in 2021, the Brazilian won by knockout. However, Johnson repaid the favor last year to win the gold.
Eddie Hearn hints at possible Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou fight materializing: "I had lunch with Francis Ngannou"
Lewis Simpson - April 19, 2023
Eddie Hearn has hinted at a possible boxing bout between Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou materializing. Ngannou underwent months upon end trying to negotiate a deal with the UFC to stay. However, after failing to agree on terms, the then UFC heavyweight champion made the decision to ultimately part days with the company and test free agency.
Michael Bisping believes Francis Ngannou has mismanaged his post-UFC future: "If you're not fighting you're not making money"
Josh Evanoff - April 6, 2023
UFC commentator Michael Bisping believes Francis Ngannou has mismanaged his UFC exit. ‘The Predator’ left the MMA company in January as heavyweight champion. At the time, Ngannou stated that issues with Dana White and the UFC’s restrictive contracts forced the exit. As a result, the promotion later booked Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane for the vacant title.
PFL President Ray Sefo optimistic that his organization will land former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou: “It’s all positive”
Harry Kettle - April 6, 2023
PFL president Ray Sefo has said that things are looking positive regarding the promotion potentially signing Francis Ngannou. Earlier this year, Francis Ngannou decided to take the biggest risk of his career by leaving UFC. At the time, he was the company’s undisputed heavyweight champion – but that wasn’t enough.
Chael Sonnen says it’s time for Francis Ngannou to “wake up” and call Dana White: “Everyday he’s not signed, he’s losing”
Harry Kettle - April 5, 2023
MMA analyst Chael Sonnen has given Francis Ngannou some advice as he continues to play the field in free agency. Ever since leaving the UFC earlier this year, many have wondered what Francis Ngannou’s next move will be. The popular opinion, given he wants to be paid well, is that he’ll enter the world of professional boxing.
BKFC's David Feldman reveals Francis Ngannou talks going poorly due to "unrealistic money" request: "He needs to make up his mind"
Josh Evanoff - April 4, 2023
Don’t expect to see Francis Ngannou in BKFC anytime soon. ‘The Predator’ is still searching for his next home in combat sports. Ngannou famously left the UFC in January after fighting out his contract with the company. In the process, he vacated the heavyweight title which was later won by Jon Jones last month at UFC 285.
Dan Hardy says it will be “no time” before former UFC champion Francis Ngannou signs with PFL: “I know he’s coming”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 30, 2023
Dan Hardy thinks former UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou is on his way to becoming a member of the PFL roster. Ngannou and UFC higherups could not come to terms on a new deal when “The Predator” was the UFC Heavyweight Champion. As a result, Ngannou is now a free agent. “The Predator” has expressed his desire to enter the world of boxing, which was his first love in terms of combat sports, but he recently revealed to Ariel Helwani on “The MMA Hour” that he’s close to signing with an MMA promotion. He namedropped PFL and ONE Championship.
Francis Ngannou reveals Kamaru Usman did not train for UFC 286 against Leon Edwards due to injuries
Cole Shelton - March 21, 2023
Francis Ngannou claims Kamaru Usman wasn’t able to train for his UFC 286 trilogy match against Leon Edwards due to injuries. Usman was looking to reclaim the belt back after Edwards scored a fifth-round head kick KO over him back in August. It was a massive comeback and with that, the two were running it back for the third time in a fight many thought Usman would win.
Francis Ngannou sends words of encouragement to Kamaru Usman following his UFC 286 loss to Leon Edwards: “You are a champion with or without a piece of metal my brother”
Susan Cox - March 20, 2023
Francis Ngannou has sent words of encouragement to Kamaru Usman following his UFC 286 loss to Leon Edwards. UFC 286 took place this past weekend at The O2 Arena in London, England.
Conor McGregor questions Francis Ngannou’s decision to part ways with the UFC: “I wasn’t sure why he did that to be honest”
Susan Cox - March 16, 2023
Conor McGregor is questioning Francis Ngannou’s decision to part ways with the UFC. Francis Ngannou (17-3 MMA) parted ways with the UFC in January of this year. Following a lengthy contract dispute, the heavyweight champion refused the most recent offer from the UFC and left the promotion. With the departure, ‘The Predator’ was stripped of his belt.
Francis Ngannou slams Jon Jones for saying he avoided fighting him: "I wanted that fight, but where was Jon Jones at that time?"
Josh Evanoff - March 14, 2023
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou appears unhappy with Jon Jones. ‘The Predator’ famously walked out of the MMA promotion in January, after failing to come to terms on a new deal. At the time, Ngannou stated that low fighter pay, restrictive contracts, and lack of healthcare led to his exit. He later stated his intention to transition to the boxing ring.
Francis Ngannou reveals he’s had “serious” conversations with two MMA promotions: “Not too much with Bellator”
Susan Cox - March 14, 2023
Francis Ngannou has revealed that he’s had ‘serious’ conversations with two MMA promotions, but ‘not too much with Bellator’. Ngannou parted ways with the UFC two months ago, after a lengthy contractual dispute between the promotion and the 36 year old heavyweight champion.
UFC President Dana White extremely confident that Jon Jones would have beat Francis Ngannou “exactly” like he did Ciryl Gane
Harry Kettle - March 13, 2023
UFC president Dana White believes Jon Jones would defeat Francis Ngannou in a similar manner to how he defeated Ciryl Gane. It’s no secret that Dana White isn’t Francis Ngannou’s biggest fan. After all, the former UFC heavyweight champion did turn down a huge offer to stay with the promotion.
Francis Ngannou reveals talks underway to box Deontay Wilder in Africa: "It's an opportunity to do something massive"
Josh Evanoff - March 10, 2023
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is currently in talks to box Deontay Wilder. ‘The Predator’ walked out of the UFC in January, vacating his heavyweight gold in the process. Following his exit, the promotion set Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane for the vacant title. Last Saturday, ‘Bones’ defeated ‘Bon Gamin’ by first-round submission to win the gold.
Francis Ngannou praises Jon Jones for his "great performance" at UFC 285, expresses disappointment that a fight with 'Bones' will likely "never happen now"
Jeffrey Walter - March 6, 2023
Francis Ngannou has praised Jon Jones for his great performance at UFC 285 but is admittedly disappointed that they will never fight. Jones (27-1 MMA) captured the UFC’s vacant heavyweight title this past Saturday night in Las Vegas, submitting former interim title holder Ciryl Gane (11-2 MMA) in the very first round (see that here).
Francis Ngannou reacts after Dana White casts doubt that things "would have gone any differently" had he fought Jon Jones at UFC 285
Chris Taylor - March 5, 2023
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is clearly amused by how quickly Dana White can change his tune on fighters. Ngannou (17-3 MMA) parted ways with the Ultimate Fighting Championship earlier this year after failing to come to terms on a new deal with the promotion. ‘The Predator’ claimed that he attempted to negotiate health insurance, sponsorships, and other benefits for all fighters on the UFC roster. However, the company wouldn’t comply to his requests.