Where Will The Former UFC Champion Go From Here?

After more than a year of unsuccessful negotiations with Fight Promotion, Francis Ngannou is no longer the UFC Heavyweight Champion.

Ngannou (17-3) fulfilled his contract with the UFC in January 2022, defeating Cyril Gaine by unanimous decision. Ngannou injured his knee before the match and underwent knee surgery two months later. This was unfortunate, but he and he had plenty of time for the UFC to reconcile.

But on Saturday, the UFC announced that he would be making the transition from Ngannou, with a heavyweight title fight between former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and Gaane at UFC 285 in Las Vegas on March 4. Did. UFC president Dana White offered to make Ngannou “the highest-paid heavyweight in the company’s history,” but it wasn’t enough to keep him.

Ngannou told ESPN on Sunday that he plans to comment on the matter, but will not at this time.

There’s a lot to discuss about this situation, especially if Ngannou adds his side to the failed negotiations.

Boxing: Can Ngannou face off against the ‘Big 4’ heavyweights anytime soon?

Ever since Ngannou shared the ring with Tyson Fury, gypsy king It seems like a fait accompli that one day Ngannou will lace up his boxing gloves after winning Dillian White in April.

One reason, of course, is that boxing offers fighters a lot more money than MMA. But Ngannou has another reason on his mind. It’s my childhood dream. Ngannou, who grew up watching Mike Tyson in Nigeria, said he had long envisioned himself becoming a heavyweight boxing champion.

For a 36-year-old who has never boxed professionally, that may seem like a pipe dream, but if Ngannou really wants to pursue that path, he has plenty of options. After all, he’s one of the biggest combat sports stars and he’s free to do as he pleases. And in the past, he has stated that he needs boxing flexibility in his upcoming MMA contract.

“That option, boxing, is always in my pocket,” Ngannou said after winning against Gane last year. “It’s something I have to do before my career ends.”

Hardcore Fighting Championship promoter Anatoly Suryanov made a $3 million offer on Sunday via Instagram for the match in Dubai on March 18. More such offers should come to his Ngannou from his promoters of boxing big and small.

Suppose he really wants to establish himself as a heavyweight contender and give him a chance to be taken seriously. In that case, as he builds for a superfight with Fury, Oleksandr his Usik, Deontay his Wilder and Anthony Joshua’s “Big 4” tune-up his bout he pays pretty well for light competition can be done several times.

And there is always the exhibition route that has become popular in recent years, with everyone from Floyd Mayweather to Manny Pacquiao earning millions of dollars for unsanctioned, almost risk-free fights. At Fury’s post-fight press conference following his rendezvous with Ngannou, he vowed to meet the UFC champion one day, but only in an exhibition boxing match.

Ngannou could even meet his idol Mike Tyson in such a fashion if he wanted.

A third route available to Ngannou is to head straight into a big-money showdown with Fury, Joshua, or Wilder without testing the waters first. Ngannou is unlikely to win, and a few warm-up matches may not change that.

Fury is close to signing Usyk for the Undisputed Heavyweight Championship in the spring, and Joshua is slated to return on April 1. Wilder is likely to meet Andy Ruiz in the first half of this year, but there is no contract yet.

Whatever path he chooses, whether that means continuing to fight in MMA, it’s likely that Ngannou will one day make his professional boxing debut.

“Francis takes boxing very seriously. It was his first dream,” Ngannou’s manager Markel Martin told Sky Sports. “That’s why he left Africa to learn how to do it. It’s not mixed martial arts.” — Coppinger

PFL: Will Ngannou and Jake Paul join forces?

If Ngannou continues in MMA, the PFL will be the frontrunners to acquire him.the company is very I am working on a splash signature. Earlier this year, he signed influencer-turned-professional boxer Jake Paul to a deal to compete in MMA. They are very willing to do so, especially for the more prominent names.

In addition to signing Paul, the promotion also announced a new “Superfight Division” for fighters like Ngannou. We created this division to sign. Ngannou isn’t necessarily a superstar in the same sense as Paul and Nate Diaz, another free agent the PFL has been eyeing, but it’s definitely a PPV draw.

When Ngannou’s free agency news broke, the PFL posted a very cryptic tweet on Saturday.In a photo of his family Ngannou posted on social media earlier this month, one of the women is seen wearing a PFL shirt. I was wearing So there was some teasing about this possibility, but that’s it for now.

Potential opponents include Ante Deliya, Bruno Cappelozza and Renan Ferreira should Ngannou sign with the PFL. — Okamoto

Bellator: Do you have a dream match between Ngannou and Fedor?

The PFL wasn’t the only MMA promotion to publicly acknowledge Ngannou’s free agency. Bellator president Scott Coker has republished an article from last February, expressing interest in working with Ngannou if he leaves the UFC, Bellator could be Ngannou’s landing spot. However, the last time the company promoted an event on his PPV was in 2017.

At Bellator, potential opponents include Ryan Bader and Cheick Kongo. Ironically, heavyweight legend Fedor Emelianenko, who is set to retire after his heavyweight title bout with Vader scheduled for next month, has decided to stick with his one more fight with Ngannou. there is. Emelianenko is also known for turning down White’s offer to sign him with the UFC in 2009.

That’s a great idea, but a very unlikely one. Still, Bellator hopes to at least meet with Ngannou, and, like the PFL, has shown a willingness to secure expensive talent.The promotion saw the former featherweight champion sign AJ McKee to a multi-year deal. But it wasn’t cheap. — Okamoto