"I do not legitimize the interim title" - Francis Ngannou refuses to acknowledge Ciryl Gane fight as title unification bout

UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou (left) and the division's interim titleholder Ciryl Gane (right)

Francis Ngannou has refused to acknowledge his upcoming UFC 270 main event with former MMA Factory teammate Ciryl Gane as a heavyweight title unification bout.

Speaking to UFC interviewer Megan Olivi recently, Ngannou said that he believes that his belt is the only legitimate heavyweight championship in the promotion and the interim title does not exist.

"I am going to defend the title. There is no unification. I recognize only one title, which is mine. The undisputed one. I do not legitimize the interim title at all. As far as I am concerned, that does not exist."

Watch Francis Ngannou speak about UFC 270, Ciryl Gane, Fernand Lopez and more below:

'The Predator' holds a 16-3 win-loss record in his professional mixed martial arts career so far, while 'Bon Gamin' is unbeaten at 10-0.

The duo's headliner at the Honda Center on January 22nd, 2022, will be the first title defense for Ngannou. 'The Predator' captured the UFC's heavyweight crown in March 2021, by defeating Stipe Miocic via second round KO.

Ciryl Gane defeated Derrick Lewis at UFC 265 to become the interim heavyweight champ

No.3-ranked heavyweight contender Derrick Lewis initially had the next title shot in the division. However, Francis Ngannou's clashes with the UFC resulted in Ciryl Gane stepping in for an interim title clash.

Gane squared off against Lewis at UFC 265 inside Houston's Toyota Center on August 7th last year. Despite having home advantage, the pressure got the better of 'The Black Beast' as he was knocked out at a time of 4:11 in the third round.

Total Strikes in our #UFC265 main event! 👊

1️⃣6️⃣ - Derrick Lewis
1️⃣1️⃣2️⃣ - Ciryl Gane https://t.co/3SxwG2DOFC

Gane completely dominated the outing with lethal punches and knees to the body and head of Lewis. The Frenchman eventually won the interim championship and is now set for a grudge match against Ngannou.

The Cameroonian's former head coach and fellow countryman Fernand Lopez, with whom he is not on talking terms right now, is training Gane right now. Ngannou and 'Bon Gamin' had previously trained together as well during the 35-year-old's time at the gym.

The Frenchman, 31, is a former world heavyweight champion at the TKO Major League MMA organization.