UFC Drops Francis Ngannou & Strips Him Of Title

After years of contractual disputes, the UFC has dismissed heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou from his agreement with the company. Ngannou is now free to sign with any other organization promoting combat sports.

At a news conference on Saturday, UFC president Dana White acknowledged the separation. He has lost his UFC affiliation and lost the heavyweight belt, among other things.

White stated, “We’ve been working on a new arrangement with Francis for almost two years now. “We had reached the point where he was going to face Jon Jones, who many consider to be the best heavyweight of all time, for the title. And Jon Jones has always been willing, capable, and ready to fight. Whoever it was, he didn’t care. He was prepared to fight, and it could have been anyone in the heavyweight class.

We presented Francis with a proposal that would have made him the best paid heavyweight in the organization’s history, he continued. More than anyone else, including [Brock] Lesnar, he declined the offer.

White continued by saying that Ngannou wanted to compete against weaker opponents for more money. White’s remarks have not received a response from Ngannou.

White also revealed that Jon Jones will face Ciryl Gane on March 4 at UFC 285 for the heavyweight title. Jones will compete at the tournament for the first time since February 2020.

White declared that Jones was “ready, willing, and able” to take on Ngannou or any other heavyweight opponent.

See Dana White’s thoughts on the matter after the break.

After years of contractual disputes, the UFC has dismissed heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou from his agreement with the company. Ngannou is now free to sign with any other organization promoting combat sports. At a news conference on Saturday, UFC president Dana White acknowledged the separation. He has lost his UFC affiliation and lost the heavyweight…