Francis Ngannou News
Francis Ngannou reacts to Jon Jones changing tune on his negotiations with the UFC: "I think we all know that Jon Jones has multiple personalities"
Cole Shelton - February 28, 2023
Francis Ngannou has responded to Jon Jones changing his tune about his contract negotiations with the UFC. The hope for the UFC was to make a fight between Ngannou and Jones, but it did not come to fruition, as the heavyweight champ was firm in his negotiations and demands. With that, the UFC opted to release Ngannou and made Jones vs. Gane for the vacant heavyweight title.
Francis Ngannou responds to recent criticism from Jon Jones: "Jonny boy pick a side of the fence"
Chris Taylor - February 27, 2023
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has responded to the recent criticism he received from Jon Jones. Jones (26-1 MMA) will return to the Octagon for the first time in over three years this Saturday night in the main event of UFC 285. ‘Bones’ is set to square off with Ciryl Gane (11-1 MMA) for the promotion’s vacant heavyweight world title.
Jon Jones explains why he took aim at Francis Ngannou ahead of UFC 285: “Once I saw that, my tone changed”
Harry Kettle - February 27, 2023
Jon Jones has explained why he took a shot at Francis Ngannou ahead of his return to the Octagon at UFC 285 this weekend. On Saturday night, Jon Jones will fight in the UFC for the first time in three years. He’ll take on Ciryl Gane, with the UFC heavyweight championship being on the line.
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.
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.
Francis Ngannou verbally agrees to Deontay Wilder's two-fight challenge: "I hope you are a man of your word"
Josh Evanoff - February 17, 2023
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has seemingly accepted Deontay Wilder’s challenge. ‘The Predator’ exited the UFC last month after failing to reach an agreement for a new contract. As a result, he was stripped of his heavyweight gold, and Ngannou quickly began targeting a new home. For their part, the UFC quickly booked Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane for the vacant title in March.
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.
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.
Deontay Wilder offers Francis Ngannou boxing match followed by MMA bout: “I would love to do that one in Africa”
Susan Cox - February 8, 2023
Deontay Wilder has offered Francis Ngannou a boxing match followed by an MMA bout. Francis Ngannou recently parted ways with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and in doing so vacated his heavyweight title. The promotion and Ngannou could not come to terms on a new contract.
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.
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.
Francis Ngannou reveals he could be fighting Tyson Fury in mid-2023
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 29, 2023
Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou isn’t jumping the gun on a Tyson Fury fight in 2023, but he’d like to get a deal in writing before “The Gypsy King” battles Oleksandr Usyk. Ngannou and Fury have expressed interest in throwing down at some point. Fury has laid out the rules for the bout, which calls for a boxing match, but with 4-ounce gloves. He suggested International Boxing Hall of Famer Mike Tyson serve as the special referee.
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.
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.