Francis Ngannou News
Pros react after Derrick Lewis vs. Ciryl Gane is announced as interim heavyweight title fight at UFC 265
Christopher Taylor - June 28, 2021
Dana White shocked fight fans this afternoon when he announced that Derrick Lewis would be fighting Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title at UFC 265. After weeks of the UFC President insinuating that a rematch with ‘The Black Beast’ would be next for reigning UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, ESPN’s Brett Okamoto announced that Lewis vs. Gane was official for August 7 in Houston.
Derrick Lewis and Ciryl Gane react after being booked in interim heavyweight title fight at UFC 265
Chris Taylor - June 28, 2021
Derrick Lewis and Ciryl Gane have reacted after being booked in a interim heavyweight title fight at UFC 265. After weeks of Dana White insinuating that a rematch with ‘The Black Beast’ would be next for reigning UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, the promotion shocked fight fans today with the announcement of Lewis vs. Gane.
Francis Ngannou reacts after Derrick Lewis vs. Ciryl Gane is announced with UFC interim heavyweight title on the line
Cole Shelton - June 28, 2021
Francis Ngannou isn’t too thrilled the UFC is creating an interim heavyweight title. Ngannou won the heavyweight title back at UFC 260 at the end of March with a KO win over Stipe Miocic. The plan was for him to face Jon Jones, but the promotion couldn’t come to an agreement with “Bones” and then shifted to Derrick Lewis. Yet, Ngannou’s timeframe didn’t work for August so the promotion booked an interim title fight between Lewis and Gane at UFC 265.
Francis Ngannou vs. Ciryl Gane future UFC betting odds released
Adam D Martin - June 28, 2021
The future betting odds have been released for a potential fight between UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou and challenger Ciryl Gane. Gane defeated Alexander Volkov in the main event of UFC Vegas 30 this past Saturday to improve to 9-0 in MMA including a 6-0 mark in the Octagon. Following the fight, Gane said that he intends to sit out and wait for a title shot against Ngannou, who is slated to take on Derrick Lewis in a rematch in his first UFC heavyweight title defense. The UFC has not confirmed the Ngannou vs. Gane fight by any means, but with this matchup a future possibility, the oddsmakers have opened the odds for a potential fight between the two.
Ovince Saint Preux will not be staying at heavyweight after training with UFC champ Francis Ngannou: “I know how to stay in my lane”
Adam D Martin - June 24, 2021
Ovince Saint Preux will not be staying at heavyweight after training with UFC champ Francis Ngannou, saying “I know how to stay in my lane.” Saint Preux returns to the Octagon on Saturday in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 30 when he takes on Tanner Boser in a short-notice heavyweight bout. Saint Preux was originally set to take on Maxim Grishin on this card at light heavyweight, but after Grishin pulled out of the fight with an injury, the UFC asked him to move up to heavyweight to take on Boser and stay on the card. Although Saint Preux only has one heavyweight bout in the UFC to his name, a split decision defeat to Ben Rothwell last year, he had no problem saying yes to the opportunity to move up and fight Boser in order to keep a fight booked.
Francis Ngannou vs. Derrick Lewis 2 reportedly delayed until at least September
Adam D Martin - June 23, 2021
The rematch between UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou and rival Derrick Lewis has reportedly delayed until at least September. The UFC has been planning on having Ngannou and Lewis headline UFC 265, which is tentatively scheduled to take place on August 7 in Houston, Texas. However, it appears as though the promotion has run into a scheduling conflict and the fight between Ngannou and Lewis has now been delayed. According to MMA journalist Ariel Helwani, Ngannou vs. Lewis is a “long shot” to take place at UFC 265, and instead, September seems more likely.
Jon Jones sends a daunting message to UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou: "Remember you’re not a champ until you defend that title"
Christopher Taylor - June 11, 2021
Jon Jones has sent Francis Ngannou a message after catching word that the reigning UFC heavyweight champion is still holding out for a fight. After Ngannou knocked out Stipe Miocic in their rematch at UFC 260 to claim the promotions heavyweight strap, it was expected that his first title defense would come against Jones.
Francis Ngannou wants Jon Jones next, not Derrick Lewis: "I love that fight"
Adam D Martin - June 11, 2021
UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is still holding out hope that he will fight Jon Jones next and not Derrick Lewis. Ngannou knocked out Stipe Miocic in March at UFC 260 to become the new heavyweight champion of the world. For his first title defense he was fully expected to fight Jones, but the UFC and Jones have not been able to come to terms on a new contract for this heavyweight superfight. With Jones temporarily out of the picture, UFC president Dana White has confirmed that Lewis will be next in line for a belt coming off of a KO win over Curtis Blaydes. The plan is for them to headline UFC 265 in August in Houston, Texas.
Stipe Miocic is "100 percent" confident he can beat Francis Ngannou in potential trilogy: "I know what I did wrong"
Cole Shelton - May 31, 2021
Stipe Miocic knows he has what it takes to beat Francis Ngannou. At UFC 260, Miocic suffered a second-round KO loss to Ngannou to lose his heavyweight title. Since then, he has been in the gym training and has talked about wanting the trilogy. Although Ngannou is likely to face Derrick Lewis next, Miocic says he wants the trilogy fight as he knows he can get the win.
Colby Covington claims Jon Jones is trying to get one final cash grab with Francis Ngannou fight: "He’s done, he doesn’t have the right scientist, the right juice to do anymore."
Chris Taylor - May 29, 2021
Colby Covington believes Jon Jones as trying to get one final “cash grab” by securing a fight with current UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. Jones (26-1 MMA) vacated his light heavyweight title last summer in hopes of making a run at the promotions heavyweight championship. It was initially thought that ‘Bones’ would fight the winner of March’s rematch between Francis Ngannou and Stipe Miocic.
Francis Ngannou reflects on title-earning knockout of Stipe Miocic at UFC 260
Chris Taylor - May 29, 2021
UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou reflected on his title-earning knockout of Stipe Miocic earlier this afternoon. Ngannou (16-3 MMA) and Miocic ( MMA) squared off for a second time in the headliner of March’s UFC 260 event in Las Vegas. The pair had initially collided at UFC 220 in January of 2018, with Miocic retaining his heavyweight title by way of unanimous decision.
Francis Ngannou vs. Derrick Lewis 2 targeted for August in Houston
Cole Shelton - May 26, 2021
Francis Ngannou will be in enemy territory when he defends his heavyweight title for the first time. After Ngannou knocked out Stipe Miocic at UFC 260 the plan was for him to face Jon Jones. However, “Bones” and the UFC couldn’t come to an agreement. Following that, Dana White revealed Derrick Lewis would be getting the next shot. Now, White has revealed to Kevin Iole of Yahoo! Sports the rematch will likely take place in August and in Houston, Texas where Lewis is from.
Dana White suggests that Francis Ngannou’s first title defense will take place at UFC 265
Adam D Martin - May 23, 2021
UFC president Dana White suggested that Francis Ngannou’s first title defense will take place at UFC 265 when he takes on Derrick Lewis. Ngannou is set to take on Derrick Lewis for his first UFC heavyweight title defense. The UFC originally wanted to have Ngannou fight former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, but the fight hasn’t materialized due to Jones and the UFC being involved in a financial dispute over how much money he should make for the Ngannou fight. With Jones out, the UFC has instead given the title shot to Lewis, who is coming off of a huge KO win over Curtis Blaydes in his last fight. We know the fight is coming, and now we have a date.
Derrick Lewis explains why he “hates” UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou
Adam D Martin - May 16, 2021
Fan-favorite knockout artist Derrick Lewis explained why he “hates” UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou during the UFC 262 presser. Lewis is set to take on Ngannou in a rematch later this summer for the UFC heavyweight championship. With former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones not being able to strike a deal with the UFC, Lewis has slipped in and will get the next title shot against the champ Ngannou. Lewis was a guest at the UFC 262 press conference and when reporters asked him why he doesn’t like Ngannou, “The Black Beast” answered in a way only he can.
Dana White says Stipe Miocic will face the winner of Derrick Lewis vs. Francis Ngannou 2
Chris Taylor - May 15, 2021
Dana White appears to have moved on from Jon Jones suggesting that Stipe Miocic will now face the winner of Derrick Lewis vs. Francis Ngannou 2. Earlier this week the UFC President confirmed that a rematch between ‘The Black Beast’ and ‘The Predator’ was in the works for later this summer. During that same interview White suggested that former heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic could be next for Jon Jones.
Daniel Cormier weighs in on Stipe Miocic’s plan to bulk up for a Francis Ngannou trilogy
Harry Kettle - May 13, 2021
Daniel Cormier has given his thoughts on the idea of Stipe Miocic bulking up for a potential trilogy fight against Francis Ngannou. Earlier this year, Ngannou finally made his way to the top of the heavyweight division by knocking out Stipe Miocic to claim the UFC Heavyweight Championship. Now, the expectation is that he’ll defend his belt against Derrick Lewis with Jon Jones not too far behind him.
Dana White confirms Derrick Lewis is next for Francis Ngannou, provides update on Jon Jones
Christopher Taylor - May 10, 2021
UFC President Dana White confirmed on Monday that a rematch with Derrick Lewis will be next for Francis Ngannnou, this while providing an update on Jon Jones. Prior to March’s UFC 260 event, it was thought that the winner of Miocic vs. Ngannou 2 would be fighting ‘Bones’ in their next outing. However, shortly after ‘The Predator’ dethroned Stipe with a second round knockout, negotiations between Jones and the UFC quickly went south.
Jon Jones unloads after Francis Ngannou suggests he is just a "decision fighter"
Chris Taylor - May 1, 2021
The online sparring between Jon Jones and current UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou continued on Saturday afternoon. Prior to UFC 260, it was thought that the winner of Ngannou vs. Miocic 2 would defend their title against Jones next. ‘Bones’ of course had vacated the promotions light heavyweight strap back in the summer of 2020, citing his intentions of pursuing the UFC’s heavyweight crown.