Francis Ngannou released: Former lightweight champ slams UFC for building false narrative after losing bid for 'The Predator'
Dana White announced at the UFC Vegas 67 post-fight news conference that Francis Ngannou has been freed from his contract and stripped of his heavyweight championship. Jon Jones will now make his octagon return to fight Ciryl Gane for the vacant belt at UFC 285.
Several UFC fighters, analysts, and fans have commended Ngannou's determination to stand his ground despite multiple offers from the UFC that would have seen him become the highest-paid heavyweight fighter in UFC history. Others, though, have lambasted the UFC for releasing one of the most exciting prospects in the world today.
The UFC appears to have been attempting to refocus the narrative in the wake of reports that contract negotiations with Ngannou have stalled by emphasizing that 'The Predator' is pursuing easier opportunities with more financial benefits outside the UFC.
Former UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez, who parted ways with the organization in 2018, censured the UFC for creating a false narrative when contract negotiations with Francis Ngannou fell through. Alvarez wrote on Twitter:
"UFC simply lost the bid for Francis [and] instead of admitting that, they go with the narrative the the scariest mother fu**er alive is afraid to fight in the UFC. hahhahahahhahahahhahahahhaa These jokes write themselves #PHSUnreal."
Check out the tweet below:
Ufc simply lost the bid for Francis , instead of admitting that , they go with the narrative the the Scariest mother fucker alive is Afraid to fight in the UFC hahhahahahhahahahhahahahhaa These jokes write themselves #PHSUnreal
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Dark Knight Rises actor Christopher Judge reacts to Francis Ngannou's exit from the UFC
Over the past two years, Francis Ngannou has been mired in a contract dispute with the UFC, which finally culminated with the promotion announcing his release.
The UFC waived the exclusive negotiating window and the matching rights provision, making Ngannou the most sought-after free agent in MMA today.
So, per Dana White, Francis Ngannou is a free agent. Stripped of the title. Waived exclusive negotiating window, no matching rights clause. Unrestricted free agency for the best MMA heavyweight in the world.
With the exit of Francis Ngannou and Nate Diaz back in September 2022, the UFC has lost two stars in less than six months. Both combatants have expressed their desire to compete inside the squared circle. Diaz has long been linked with a potential fight against Jake Paul, while the Cameroonian has set his sights on heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury.
Idea: If I'm Nate Diaz, I'm getting Francis on the phone tomorrow and making us a package deal. Can you imagine? The two biggest free agents in MMA history. Anywhere they go, it'll be MASSIVE. Unprecedented. Make all the money. Split all the profits among themselves. Why not?
American actor Christopher Judge, best known for his role as Teal'c in the Canadian-American military science fiction television series Stargate SG-1 and acting as Bane's second-in-command in Dark Knight Rises, reacted to Ngannou's exit on Twitter:
"@francis_ngannou can’t wait to see what you do next champ!"
Check out the tweet below:
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@francis_ngannou can’t wait to see what you do next champ! 👍🏾👏🏾👊🏾 https://t.co/DNuX6LcspE