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Francis Ngannou is finally speaking out after not coming to terms with the UFC.
On Saturday, UFC President Dana White announced that he was stripping Ngannou of the title, releasing him, and allowing the UFC’s reigning heavyweight champion to become a free agent after they could not reach a deal.
“We are going to release (Francis Ngannou) from his contract. We are giving up the right to match. He can go wherever he wants and do whatever he wants”
Dana White announces Francis Ngannou is released from his UFC contract 😳 #UFC pic.twitter.com/dxqdLVqqHR
— bjpenndotcom (@bjpenndotcom) January 15, 2023
On Tuesday, Ngannou appeared on Ariel Helani’s MMA Hour show and said that he was offered around $8 million, which is what Brock Lesnar made at UFC 200.
Ngannou says that the Jon Jones fight was in the ballpark of the $8 million that Brock Lesnar reportedly made for UFC 200 and that he had asked for a three-fight deal with no extension clauses.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) January 17, 2023
Francis Ngannou on what he asked for in his contract.#TheMMAHour pic.twitter.com/znowmTWNXU
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) January 17, 2023
Ngannou says that he tried negotiating health insurance, sponsorships, and other benefits for all fighters, but the UFC wasn’t willing to consider it.
Francis Ngannou asked to have his own sponsors, health insurance and a fighter advocate at board meetings. UFC refused all three (via @arielhelwani's MMA Hour)
— Shakiel Mahjouri (@Shak_Fu) January 17, 2023
.@francis_ngannou explains what he wanted, other than money, from the UFC in negotiations 📝 #TheMMAHour
The list included:
• The right to sponsorship
• Health insurance
• A fighter advocate to represent the fighters in meetings▶️ https://t.co/nl825Yai3y pic.twitter.com/5dwxY0Sx67
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) January 17, 2023
Ngannou said he was at peace with his decision and wanted “respect, dignity, and wanted to feel like a man.”
"I need some respect. More respect at least. I need some freedom. I need to feel like a man. Control my destiny. Decide what I'm going to do." – Ngannou says he wants to be able to control his own career.
On #TheMMAHour
— Cageside Press (@Cagesidepress) January 17, 2023