Francis Ngannou News
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.
Michael 'Venom' Page blasts UFC over treatment of Francis Ngannou: "Heavyweight champion of the world and you're complaining about finances"
Josh Evanoff - March 7, 2023
Bellator welterweight Michael ‘Venom’ Page believes Francis Ngannou‘s UFC exit is concerning for MMA fighters. ‘The Predator’ famously walked out of the UFC in January after fighting out his contract. He vacated his heavyweight title, and the promotion quickly announced Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane for the gold. ‘Bones’ defeated ‘Bon Gamin’ by first-round submission at UFC 285 last weekend to win the vacant championship.
Francis Ngannou praises Jon Jones for his "great performance" at UFC 285, expresses disappointment that a fight with 'Bones' will likely "never happen now"
Jeffrey Walter - March 6, 2023
Francis Ngannou has praised Jon Jones for his great performance at UFC 285 but is admittedly disappointed that they will never fight. Jones (27-1 MMA) captured the UFC’s vacant heavyweight title this past Saturday night in Las Vegas, submitting former interim title holder Ciryl Gane (11-2 MMA) in the very first round (see that here).
Francis Ngannou reacts after Dana White casts doubt that things "would have gone any differently" had he fought Jon Jones at UFC 285
Chris Taylor - March 5, 2023
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is clearly amused by how quickly Dana White can change his tune on fighters. Ngannou (17-3 MMA) parted ways with the Ultimate Fighting Championship earlier this year after failing to come to terms on a new deal with the promotion. ‘The Predator’ claimed that he attempted to negotiate health insurance, sponsorships, and other benefits for all fighters on the UFC roster. However, the company wouldn’t comply to his requests.
Francis Ngannou reacts after Jon Jones defeats Ciryl Gane for the heavyweight title at UFC 285
Chris Taylor - March 4, 2023
Former heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou clearly tuned in to watch tonight’s UFC 285 main event between Jon Jones and Ciryl Gane. Jones (27-1 MMA) and Gane (11-2 MMA) collided for the promotion’s vacant world heavyweight title under the bright lights of T-Mobile Arena.
Dana White shuts the door on a possible Francis Ngannou return: "He’ll never be in the UFC again"
Chris Taylor - March 3, 2023
Former heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou will never fight for the UFC again according to Dana White. Ngannou (17-3 MMA) parted ways with the Ultimate Fighting Championship early in January after failing to come to terms on a new deal with the promotion.
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 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.
Jake Paul reveals discussions underway with Francis Ngannou to join the PFL: "There's massive things we can do"
Josh Evanoff - February 22, 2023
According to Jake Paul, Francis Ngannou could be making his way to the PFL. ‘The Predator’ famously walked out of the UFC last month as heavyweight champion. He was later stripped of his title, with the promotion setting Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane for the vacant championship in March. Nonetheless, Ngannou was undeterred and set July as a likely return date.
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.
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.
Photo | Former UFC champion Francis Ngannou looks massive ahead of his next chapter in combat sports
Harry Kettle - February 16, 2023
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou looks absolutely ripped as he prepares to enter the next chapter of his career. Earlier this year, it was confirmed that Francis Ngannou would be leaving the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Despite months of negotiation, he couldn’t come to terms on a new deal with the promotion.
Israel Adesanya on Francis Ngannou's UFC exit: 'Francis made the right call'
Fernando Quiles - 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.
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.
Ryan Bader hoping to face Francis Ngannou next to prove legitimacy as champion: "To to go out there and beat him, and there’s no question I'm legit"
Josh Evanoff - February 7, 2023
Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader is hoping that he can share the cage with Francis Ngannou. ‘Darth’ returned over the weekend in the main event of Bellator 290. In the headliner, Bader faced Fedor Emelianenko in a rematch of their 2019 meeting. In the finals of the Bellator heavyweight Grand Prix four years prior, ‘The Last Emperor’ lost by first-round stoppage.