Francis Ngannou News
Jon Jones claims Francis Ngannou "didn’t believe in himself" which is why the fight didn't happen: "He had the opportunity to face me but he opted out"
Cole Shelton - February 23, 2023
Jon Jones has a reason as to why the Francis Ngannou fight didn’t happen. Ever since Ngannou became the heavyweight champ and Jones announced he was moving up to heavyweight, the hope was the fight would happen. But, after contract negotiations stalled, Ngannou was released from his deal and instead, Jones will now face Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 for the vacant belt.
Jake Paul reveals discussions underway with Francis Ngannou to join the PFL: "There's massive things we can do"
Josh Evanoff - February 22, 2023
According to Jake Paul, Francis Ngannou could be making his way to the PFL. ‘The Predator’ famously walked out of the UFC last month as heavyweight champion. He was later stripped of his title, with the promotion setting Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane for the vacant championship in March. Nonetheless, Ngannou was undeterred and set July as a likely return date.
Chael Sonnen sounds off on proposed Francis Ngannou vs. Deontay Wilder MMA fight: “Why don’t we just go throw daggers?”
Harry Kettle - February 22, 2023
MMA analyst Chael Sonnen has questioned the proposed MMA fight between Francis Ngannou and Deontay Wilder. Ever since Francis Ngannou left the UFC, fans have been wondering what’s next for him. ‘The Predator’ made it crystal clear, above all else, that he wants to test the waters in boxing.
Deontay Wilder blasts Chael Sonnen after UFC legend calls him a "coward" for boxing Francis Ngannou first over MMA: "A miserable person"
Josh Evanoff - February 20, 2023
Former WBC Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder has gone on the offense against Chael Sonnen. ‘The Bronze Bomber’ made headlines earlier this month for challenging Francis Ngannou to a two-fight series. ‘The Predator’ famously exited the UFC last month after failing to come to terms on a new contract. Ngannou later hinted at a move to the boxing ring, with a return tentatively set for July.
UFC middleweight champion Alex Pereira warns Francis Ngannou against boxing Tyson Fury: “It’s suicide”
Susan Cox - February 17, 2023
UFC middleweight champion Alex Pereira is warning Francis Ngannou against boxing Tyson Fury. UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou, (17-3 MMA) was stripped of his title and released from his contract this past January. Ngannou, 36, rejected the UFC’s new contract offer and is now a free agent.
Photo | Former UFC champion Francis Ngannou looks massive ahead of his next chapter in combat sports
Harry Kettle - February 16, 2023
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou looks absolutely ripped as he prepares to enter the next chapter of his career. Earlier this year, it was confirmed that Francis Ngannou would be leaving the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Despite months of negotiation, he couldn’t come to terms on a new deal with the promotion.
Israel Adesanya on Francis Ngannou's UFC exit: 'Francis made the right call'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 12, 2023
Former UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya has weighed in on Francis Ngannou’s UFC exit. Ngannou’s contract was coming due and he and UFC officials had a decision to make. Negotiations to renew Ngannou’s deal failed, and he is no longer a member of the UFC roster. As a result, Jon Jones and Ciryl Gane will compete for the vacant UFC Heavyweight Championship at UFC 285 on March 4.
PFL CEO "excited" about the conversations they are having with Francis Ngannou: "We believe we're the perfect fit"
Cole Shelton - February 10, 2023
PFL CEO Peter Murray says talks with free agent heavyweight Francis Ngannou are going well as he believes they are the perfect fit. It was recently announced that Ngannou was released from his UFC deal, and he could sign with whoever he wanted to. Immediately, many thought he would go to boxing and try and secure a fight against Tyson Fury or Deontay Wilder, but Murray says PFL is in solid discussions with Ngannou.
Joe Rogan holding out hope that Francis Ngannou returns to the UFC to face Jon Jones in the future: "The perfect world"
Josh Evanoff - February 7, 2023
UFC commentator Joe Rogan is holding out hope that Francis Ngannou will return to the promotion. ‘The Predator’ famously left the UFC last month, after failing to come to terms on a new contract. As a result, Ngannou was quickly stripped of his heavyweight title as he targeted a move to boxing. For their part, the UFC later booked Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane for the vacant championship in March.
Ryan Bader hoping to face Francis Ngannou next to prove legitimacy as champion: "To to go out there and beat him, and there’s no question I'm legit"
Josh Evanoff - February 7, 2023
Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader is hoping that he can share the cage with Francis Ngannou. ‘Darth’ returned over the weekend in the main event of Bellator 290. In the headliner, Bader faced Fedor Emelianenko in a rematch of their 2019 meeting. In the finals of the Bellator heavyweight Grand Prix four years prior, ‘The Last Emperor’ lost by first-round stoppage.
Francis Ngannou seemingly agrees to Tyson Fury's requests for a mixed-rules bout: "What else?"
Josh Evanoff - February 6, 2023
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is down for a mixed-rules bout with Tyson Fury. ‘The Predator’ left the UFC last month after failing to reach an agreement on a new deal. As a result, Ngannou was quickly stripped of his heavyweight title. The promotion later announced that Jon Jones and Ciryl Gane would fight for the vacant championship in March.
Eddie Hearn confirms talks underway with Francis Ngannou to make Anthony Joshua clash: "Is just probably one of the biggest fights that could be made"
Josh Evanoff - February 1, 2023
Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn has confirmed that he’s in discussions with Francis Ngannou. ‘The Predator’ exited the UFC last month after fighting out his deal with the promotion. As a result, he was stripped of his heavyweight gold and looked for greener pastures. For their part, the UFC quickly booked Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane for the vacant title in March.
Kenny Florian believes PFL's best heavyweights "can hang" with Francis Ngannou if the promotion signs him
Cole Shelton - January 26, 2023
Kenny Florian, a commentator for the Professional Fighters League, believes the promotion’s best heavyweights can hang with Francis Ngannou should the free agent sign with the PFL. Once it was revealed Ngannou was free from his UFC contract many pointed to the PFL as a potential option. Ngannou had previously posted a picture with a family member wearing a PFL shirt and he also has a relationship with Ray Sefo who runs the promotion. With that, Florian is hoping Ngannou ends up signing with the PFL if he returns to MMA.
Randy Couture details his role in the Francis Ngannou - UFC negotiations
Susan Cox - January 26, 2023
Randy Couture is detailing the role he played in the Francis Ngannou / UFC negotiations. The former Hall of Famer, Couture (19-11 MMA) retired in 2011 at the age of 47.
Sean O’Malley understands why the UFC wouldn’t agree to Francis Ngannou’s sponsorship request: “You give him a little bit and then you got to give this guy a little bit”
Harry Kettle - January 25, 2023
Sean O’Malley has given his thoughts on Francis Ngannou not being allowed to have his own in-cage sponsors by the UFC. Earlier this month, Francis Ngannou was released by the Ultimate Fighting Championship. It came at the end of a negotiating period in which ‘The Predator’ listed a series of things he wanted.
Francis Ngannou reveals the UFC used Randy Couture as an example during failed negotiations: "Go ask him"
Josh Evanoff - January 24, 2023
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has revealed he discussed his departure with Randy Couture. ‘The Predator’ has been out of action since his clash with Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 last January. That outing was an important one for Ngannou, as it could potentially be his last fight in the promotion due to his expiring contract. Despite fighting with a knee injury against ‘Bon Gamin’, he prevailed by unanimous decision.
Kalle Sauerland confirms Misfits Boxing is in discussions to book Francis Ngannou vs. Derek Chisora
Josh Evanoff - January 20, 2023
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is reportedly in discussions with Misfits Boxing. ‘The Predator’ has been out of action since his decision victory over Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 last year. Following the victory, Ngannou revealed that he was fighting compromised against ‘Bon Gamin’. As a result of a knee injury, he’s spent over a year out of the cage.
Joe Rogan reacts after Francis Ngannou parts ways with the UFC: “I’m so bummed out by this whole thing”
Harry Kettle - January 20, 2023
UFC commentator Joe Rogan has given his thoughts on Francis Ngannou leaving the promotion and becoming a free agent. Last weekend, it was announced that Francis Ngannou had been released by the UFC. The news came after a long negotiation period, in which the two parties couldn’t come to terms on a new deal.