Francis Ngannou News
Ariel Helwani reveals Francis Ngannou could find his next MMA home as soon as this week
Josh Evanoff - May 1, 2023
According to Ariel Helwani, former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou won’t be a free agent for long. ‘The Predator’ has been out of the octagon for over a year, last defeating Ciryl Gane by decision in January 2022. That victory will likely end up being the last of Ngannou’s UFC career, as he left the promotion earlier this year. In the process, he vacated his heavyweight title.
ONE Championship drops out of running to sign Francis Ngannou: "We decided not to submit our final offer"
Cole Shelton - May 1, 2023
Francis Ngannou will not be signing with ONE Championship. After Ngannou fought out his UFC contract and was released from the promotion, many expected him to sign with another promotion rather quickly. The former UFC heavyweight champion was adamant about taking a boxing fight first but he made it clear he would fight in MMA. Immediately, ONE Championship, PFL and Bellator expressed interest but after meeting with Ngannou, ONE has decided not to submit a final offer.
ONE Championship CEO reveals impending meeting with Francis Ngannou: "Biggest offer on the table"
Josh Evanoff - April 26, 2023
ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong believes Francis Ngannou might have a home shortly. ‘The Predator’ has been a free agent since January, when he left the UFC. In the process, Ngannou vacated his heavyweight title, with the promotion later booking Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane for the vacant championship. ‘Bones’ later submitted ‘Bon Gamin’ in round one to earn the title.
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.
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.
Anatoly Malykhin's coach hints at Francis Ngannou clash in ONE Championship
Andrew Whitelaw - April 11, 2023
Is Francis Ngannou heading to ONE Championship? The former UFC Heavyweight champion is currently a free agent having departed the Las Vegas-based promotion after failing to agree new terms with Dana White.
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.
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.
Jose Aldo says Francis Ngannou "shot himself in the foot" by leaving the UFC: "No one talks about Ronda now because nobody remembers her now"
Chris Taylor - April 1, 2023
MMA legend Jose Aldo believes former heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou “shot himself in the foot” by leaving the UFC. Aldo (31-8 MMA) is set to return to action this evening on the main card of Gamebred Boxing 4. The former UFC featherweight champion will be squaring off with Jeremy Stephens (29-21 MMA) in a rematch of their UFC on FOX 30 fight from July of 2018. ‘The King of Rio’ won that MMA contest via first-round TKO.
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 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.
Former UFC champion Francis Ngannou reveals that he's close to signing to next MMA promotion: "We are very close"
Josh Evanoff - March 15, 2023
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has revealed that he will sign with PFL or ONE Championship. ‘The Predator’ walked out of the UFC in January, as he declined to re-sign after fighting out his contract. As a result, the promotion stripped Ngannou of his title, and later set Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane for the vacant heavyweight championship.
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.
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.