Francis Ngannou News
Francis Ngannou enters UFC 270 title fight on last fight of contract, reveals Dana White: 'If you don't want to be with us, no problem'
Cole Shelton - December 20, 2021
Francis Ngannou may be a free agent after his UFC 270 heavyweight title fight against Ciryl Gane in January. Ngannou won the heavyweight title at UFC 260 back in March after he knocked out Stipe Miocic in the second round. After the win, Ngannou and the UFC had a dispute over his next fight which resulted in the promotion booking an interim title fight between Ciryl Gane and Derrick Lewis.
Chris Daukaus explains why Derrick Lewis is more dangerous than Francis Ngannou
Cole Shelton - December 17, 2021
Chris Daukaus believes Derrick Lewis is more dangerous than Francis Ngannou. Daukaus is set to face Lewis in the main event of UFC Vegas 45, which serves as the final card of 2021. Entering the fight, Daukaus is the betting favorite and he believes he has all the tools to outwork Lewis to get the win.
Photo | Francis Ngannou appears to have dropped some muscle mass ahead of his title fight with Ciryl Gane at UFC 270
Christopher Taylor - December 14, 2021
Francis Ngannou appears to have dropped some muscle mass ahead of his title unification bout with Ciryl Gane at UFC 270. The former training partners, Ngannou (16-3 MMA) and Gane (10-0 MMA), will collide on January 22 in Anaheim with the title of “baddest man on the planet” up for grabs.
UFC 270: ‘Ngannou vs. Gane’ Fight Card and Start Times
Susan Cox - December 13, 2021
The Octagon returns to Anaheim on January 22 for UFC 270, a fifteen-bout fight card headlined by Francis Ngannou vs. Ciryl Gane. The former training partners, Ngannou (16-3 MMA) and Gane (10-0 MMA), will meet in a highly anticipated heavyweight title unification bout.
Fabricio Werdum shares detailed prediction for Ciryl Gane vs Francis Ngannou title fight
Harry Kettle - November 29, 2021
UFC veteran Fabricio Werdum has given his thoughts on what will go down between Ciryl Gane and Francis Ngannou at UFC 270. In January, we’ll finally see Ciryl Gane and Francis Ngannou collide with the undisputed UFC heavyweight title on the line. Ngannou is the reigning champion, but many believe Gane will pose a significant threat to his reign as the king of the division.
Francis Ngannou feels UFC created backstage scene with Ciryl Gane
Drake Riggs - November 24, 2021
Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane shared an awkward moment backstage at UFC 268. However, the undisputed champ doesn’t believe it happened naturally. When walking out to find his seat to enjoy the card, Ngannou would walk past Gane and his team who were there cornering Nassourdine Imavov. Clearly ignoring the interim champion and his former head coach, Ngannou shared his side of the viral clip.
Francis Ngannou brings in GLORY heavyweight champion Rico Verhoeven in preparation for UFC 270
Harry Kettle - November 19, 2021
Francis Ngannou has brought in kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven to help him prepare for Ciryl Gane at UFC 270. At UFC 270, Francis Ngannou will face arguably the most technical test of his career when he goes toe to toe with Ciryl Gane. The former teammates will battle it out for the UFC heavyweight title in a contest that many believe Ngannou could really struggle with.
Coach claims Francis Ngannou advised UFC officials not to sign former teammate Ciryl Gane
Harry Kettle - November 15, 2021
According to Fernand Lopez, Francis Ngannou once advised the UFC that Ciryl Gane wasn’t quite ready to sign for the promotion. At UFC 270, Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane will battle it out with the undisputed UFC heavyweight title being on the line. It’s the definition of a blockbuster showdown between two men who, in more ways than one, share a lot of history together.
Francis Ngannou completely ignores Ciryl Gane backstage at UFC 268 (Video)
Adam Martin - November 7, 2021
UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou completely ignored interim champion Ciryl Gane when they encountered each other backstage at UFC 268. Gane won the interim heavyweight title back at UFC 265 in August when he knocked out Derrick Lewis in the third round of the fight. Remember, the UFC had originally booked Ngannou against Lewis in that fight, but the promotion created an interim title after Ngannou was not able to defend his title in August. Instead of Ngannou facing Lewis for the undisputed heavyweight title, it was Gane who went in there and beat Lewis.
Francis Ngannou not as excited about fighting Ciryl Gane over Jon Jones
Adam D Martin - October 18, 2021
UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou says he is not as excited about fighting interim champ Ciryl Gane over superstar Jon Jones. Ngannou knocked out former champ Stipe Miocic back at UFC 260 in March to win the heavyweight title. He was then expected to fight Jones in what would have been one of the biggest fights the UFC could make, but the fight fell apart. Jones and the UFC were not able to come to an agreement on a contract and then Ngannou was supposed to fight Derrick Lewis at UFC 265 in August. However, that fight also fell apart when Ngannou and the UFC couldn’t come to an agreement on a new deal, and Gane ended up fighting Lewis on the card and knocked him out to win the interim belt. With Gane now as the interim champ, the plan is for him to fight Ngannou for the belt when the two meet at UFC 270.
Teddy Atlas shares his thoughts on a potential Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou super fight
Adam D Martin - October 17, 2021
Boxing analyst Teddy Atlas shared his thoughts on a potential Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou super fight in the boxing ring. Atlas is a boxing legend in his own right but he has moved more into the world of MMA analysis as well in recent years. Speaking to Submission Radio in a recent interview, Atlas was asked what he thinks about a potential fight between the top heavyweight boxer in Fury and MMA’s top heavyweight in Ngannou. As far as Atlas goes, while he has respect for Ngannou, he believes that it would be Fury getting his hand raised in a boxing match.
Francis Ngannou shares two "dream opponents" that he would have enjoyed fighting in their prime
Christopher Taylor - October 16, 2021
UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou shared two “dream opponents” that he would have enjoyed fighting in their prime. Ngannou (16-3 MMA) is set to defend his belt against current interim title holder Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 in January. Ahead of his highly anticipated showdown with the undefeated Frenchman, ‘The Predator’ made an appearance on Jeff’s Barbershop where he was asked if there were any heavyweight legends he wished he could have faced in their prime.
Francis Ngannou unhappy having to borrow money for training camp
Andrew Whitelaw - October 13, 2021
Francis Ngannou has a very strong claim to being ‘the baddest man on the planet’ and he wants to get paid accordingly. The UFC heavyweight champion will defend his belt against Ciryl Gane at UFC 270, but he will earn significantly less in that fight than his boxing counterparts. The Cameroonian recently appeared on the MMA hour, where he was asked if he was unhappy that the likes of Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder scored a much bigger payday. To which he replied,
Francis Ngannou vs. Ciryl Gane, Israel Adesanya vs. Robert Whittaker 2 targeted for UFC 270
Adam D Martin - October 6, 2021
Two title fights featuring Francis Ngannou vs. Ciryl Gane and Israel Adesanya vs. Robert Whittaker 2 are being targeted for UFC 270. According to the French outlet “La Sueur,” UFC 270 is being planned to take place on January 22 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The fight is not official yet, but the UFC plans on having the UFC heavyweight title unified that night between the champ Ngannou and the interim champ Gane. As for the co-main event, the plan is to have to rematch between Adesanya and Whittaker. Overall, with these two title fights at the top of the bill, UFC 270 is shaping up to be a stacked card already. MMA journalist Aaron Bronsteter added the following:
Dana White shares a history lesson for Francis Ngannou: “It's pretty simple how this all works”
Adam D Martin - September 8, 2021
UFC president Dana White shared a history lesson for UFC heavyweight champ Francis Ngannou, saying “It’s pretty simple how this all works.” Ngannou is currently involved in a contract dispute with the UFC that is keeping him out of the Octagon at the present time. “The Predator” defeated Stipe Miocic by KO back in March to win the heavyweight belt, and for his first title defense, the plan was for Ngannou to fight former UFC light heavyweight champion, Jon Jones, in a superfight. However, Jones could not come to an agreement with the UFC and the fight against Ngannou was scrapped.
Francis Ngannou vs. Ciryl Gane UFC heavyweight title fight targeted for January
Adam D Martin - September 2, 2021
The upcoming Francis Ngannou vs. Ciryl Gane UFC heavyweight title fight is being targeted for January, according to Ngannou’s coach. Ngannou knocked out Stipe Miocic back at UFC 260 in March to become the new UFC heavyweight champion. “The Predator” was expected to fight former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones in his first title defense, but when Jones and the UFC got into a much-publicized contract dispute with Jones, the matchmakers changed gears to a Ngannou vs. Derrick Lewis title fight at UFC 265 in August. However, that date did not work for Ngannou, and the UFC instead decided to give Gane the fight against Lewis with the interim heavyweight belt on the line, which Gane ended up winning via third-round TKO.
Dana White provides update on Francis Ngannou vs. Ciryl Gane UFC title bout: "We're working on it right now"
Adam D Martin - August 20, 2021
UFC president Dana White provided an update on the Francis Ngannou vs. Ciryl Gane heavyweight bout, saying “we’re working on it right now.” Ngannou defeated former champ Stipe Miocic back at UFC 260 in March to claim the promotion’s heavyweight championship. However, the UFC created an interim belt to be fought for between Gane and Derrick Lewis at UFC 265 in August, and Gane ended up winning that fight via third-round TKO to earn a title unification bout against Ngannou.
Francis Ngannou opens up on contract negotiations with the UFC: "There’s a lot going on behind the scenes"
Adam D Martin - August 19, 2021
Heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou opened up on contract negotiations with the UFC, saying “there’s a lot going on behind the scenes.” Ngannou knocked out Stipe Miocic back in March to become the new UFC heavyweight champion. Initially, the fight to make was Ngannou against Jon Jones, but Jones and the UFC couldn’t come to financial terms and that fight was called off. Instead, the UFC wanted to book Ngannou against Derrick Lewis at UFC 265. However, Ngannou couldn’t fight on that date and the UFC instead brought in Ciryl Gane, who knocked out Lewis to become the new interim UFC heavyweight champion — just three months after Ngannou won the belt.