Jon Jones is likely next for the UFC heavyweight title, but to him, it does matter who he faces. Jon Jones is heading for his heavyweight debut. He has spent the last year or more getting ready to make this transition. Finally, it seems he is closer than he has ever been to accepting a […]
Jon Jones is likely next for the UFC heavyweight title, but to him, it does matter who he faces.
Jon Jones is heading for his heavyweight debut. He has spent the last year or more getting ready to make this transition. Finally, it seems he is closer than he has ever been to accepting a fight at the heaviest weight class, but for him, only a title fight will do.
“Yeah, fighting for the title’s what I want the most,” Jones said to reporters in a media scrum. “Yeah, for sure. I want to fight the biggest fights, and I think the title fights is gonna be the biggest fights. If there were a bigger star than Francis at heavyweight that didn’t have the title, then I would go for that. But I think Francis is the biggest star at heavyweight, him and I, and he has the title. So that’s what I want.”
Jones has been promising this move to heavyweight for a while now. One thing that has kept him on the sidelines was unsuccessful negotiations with the UFC. Jones has been very vocal about wanting to be compensated well for a fight with Ngannou. That fight would have happened already but now there is an interim champion in town.
Ciryl Gane will get the next show at the champ, with Jones most likely facing the winner. In that case, Jones would prefer Ngannou as an opponent for financial reasons.
“I think it changes what the pay would be,” Jones said of a potential Gane victory. “Yeah, I don’t think it’s a megafight, Ciryl Gane winning. I think he’s’ so talented, and he’s great for the sport, I think he’s very marketable, but he’s still relatively unknown to the general public. And so I’m excited for either challenge. I think they present two completely different puzzles. But yeah, Francis is definitely a bigger star. It’d be a lot of money lost if Francis were to lose. But I don’t care who wins the fight. I just want the championship.”
These comments from Jones were made the very same night as his latest run-in with the law, for which he is due to appear in court this week.
Do you think the fans will ever see Francis Ngannou vs. Jon Jones?
UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou has slammed MMA remuneration, and suggested he could make the switch to boxing in order to be paid what he deserves. Ngannou is undoubtedly the most powerful athlete in the UFC. Since back-to-back losses to Stipe Miocic and Derrick Lewis in 2018, “The Predator” found hunting mode and went on […]
UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou has slammed MMA remuneration, and suggested he could make the switch to boxing in order to be paid what he deserves.
Ngannou is undoubtedly the most powerful athlete in the UFC. Since back-to-back losses to Stipe Miocic and Derrick Lewis in 2018, “The Predator” found hunting mode and went on a brutal tear in the division, leaving the bodies of Curtis Blaydes, Cain Velasquez, Junior dos Santos, and Jairzinho Rozenstruik in his wake.
After four-first round knockouts that tallied less than three minutes inside the Octagon, Ngannou secured a second crack at Miocic’s title. After showing his improved takedown defense in the opening round, the Cameroonian did what he does best in the second. He viciously KO’d the champ and had UFC gold wrapped around his waist for the first time.
Despite being one of the most dominant names in the UFC, and holding one of the most coveted titles in the sport, Ngannou has revealed that he’s still not in a great place financially due to the increasingly criticized low fighter pay. During a recent appearance on Ariel Helwani’s The MMA Hour, the heavyweight king suggested he still has to borrow money to help fund his training camp.
The discussion drifted towards the recent blockbuster trilogy showdown between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder. Both of the heavyweight superstars walked away with multi-million-dollar purses. When asked if the money they earned compared to his own remuneration frustrated him, Ngannou suggested MMA is tougher than boxing, and hinted towards a future money-motivated switch to the ring.
“Well, it [MMA] is more difficult [than boxing]. I feel I should not be needing to borrow money for my training camp. At some point, I’m gonna go after those money. I’m gonna go to that boxing for sure… I’m not challenging the system, I’m just saying my right.” (h/t Sportskeeda)
Having accused the UFC of underpaying him and attempting to discredit his his title, relations between the heavyweight champ and the promotion may not be at their most amicable right now.
Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane will fight to unify the UFC heavyweight title at UFC 270 on Jan. 22, multiple sources confirmed to @bokamotoESPN.
Contracts are not yet signed, however both sides have agreed. The date was first reported by French media outlet La Sueur. pic.twitter.com/NMRbrHEHpg
Ngannou’s next pay check looks set to come in a massive unification clash with interim champion Ciryl Gane. The pair are slated to headline UFC 270, which will be the first pay-per-view of 2022, on January 22.
UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou doesn’t hold the same excitement towards his upcoming fight with Ciryl Gane as he would have for a clash with Jon Jones. Ngannou hasn’t fought since his championship crowning in March. In the UFC 260 main event, he entered the Octagon with Stipe Miocic for the second time. Having previously […]
UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou doesn’t hold the same excitement towards his upcoming fight with Ciryl Gane as he would have for a clash with Jon Jones.
Ngannou hasn’t fought since his championship crowning in March. In the UFC 260 main event, he entered the Octagon with Stipe Miocic for the second time. Having previously come up short against the former champ in 2018, “The Predator” was given a second crack at gold after going on a tear in the division. In four fights, Ngannou secured four first-round knockouts, leaving the bodies of Curtis Blaydes, Cain Velasquez, Junior dos Santos, and Jairzinho Rozenstruik in his wake.
After displaying his improved takedown defense and evasive wrestling in the opening round, Ngannou brutally KO’d Miocic in the second frame to become the UFC’s third active African champ.
Despite being prepared to defend his belt for the first time last month, the UFC’s desire to have Derrick Lewis headline Houston’s UFC 265 card saw them create an interim title. Opposite “The Black Beast” in August was Gane. “Bon Gamin” dominated and recorded his third main event win of 2021. In doing so, he set up a blockbuster unification bout for UFC 270.
Kicking off 2022 right!
According to @LaSueur_Off, Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane will meet at UFC 270 on January 22.
Despite most being intrigued to see whether Gane’s technical style can solve the Ngannou power puzzle, many are still disappointed not to see the champ’s first defense come against former light heavyweight king Jon Jones. That includes “The Predator” himself.
Ngannou recently made an appearance on Ariel Helwani’s The MMA Hour. When asked if he has the same excitement for his clash with the Frenchman as he would have if he was facing “Bones,” Ngannou suggested the matchups aren’t on the same level.
“Not particularly,” Ngannou said. “But it’s a good fight. You have to be aware of the danger of any fight, so it’s a fight, he’s a good opponent, but not on the level of a Jon Jones fight for example if that’s what you’re asking. It’s not the same thing.” (h/t MMA Fighting)
With Ngannou’s title victory and Jones’ quest to move up to heavyweight, most believed a matchup between the pair was the biggest fight the UFC could make, and was one they had to. However, after failed negotiations and the promotion’s refusal to match Jones’ demands, the former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion’s divisional debut was pushed back to 2022.
UFC heavyweight champ Francis Ngannou says his failure to accept a low-ball contract is at the heart of his issues with the UFC. Ngannou will defend his heavyweight title for the first time against Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 on January 22. The 35-year-old captured the strap against Stipe Miocic in March, announcing his reign […]
UFC heavyweight champ Francis Ngannou says his failure to accept a low-ball contract is at the heart of his issues with the UFC.
Ngannou will defend his heavyweight title for the first time against Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 on January 22. The 35-year-old captured the strap against Stipe Miocic in March, announcing his reign as the new Baddest Man on the Planet with a spectacular KO.
His time as champion, however, has been marred by the UFC’s behind-the-scenes machinations and, in Ngannou’s view, betrayals. Not only was an interim title fight arranged less than five months into his reign, Francis believes his employer did its utmost to “discredit him” in the lead up to that fight.
Ngannou’s gripes with the UFC stretch back years. From Dana White saying that his “ego is so out of control,” to being perennially overlooked for a title shot prior to becoming champ, it’s hard to deny that Francis has been underappreciated by the UFC. This, despite re-energizing the heavyweight division by spectacularly knocking out almost every man placed before him.
PHOTO: MMA JUNKIE
Ngannou Says He’s Had To “Borrow Money To Live” Under Current UFC Contract
Now, “Le Predator” is the latest of a long line of UFC fighters to publicly criticize the promotion for its less than generous remuneration practices.
Unsatisfied with his contract, Ngannou has for some time refused to sign an extension. He currently has one fight left on his deal, but as champion, will remain under contract as long as the UFC continues to offer him fights, precluding his ability to test the market as a free agent.
Speaking to The MMA Hour this week, Francis said that his failure to extend his contract is the root cause of his issues with the UFC.
“I did not sign a new deal,” said Ngannou (h/t MMA FIGHTING). “First of all, there is a champ clause and they’ve been trying to apply pressure with an extension, but I did not sign a new deal and I think that’s basically the issue. That’s what is causing all these issues because I don’t want to sign a new deal on certain terms.”
Francis is standing firm at the negotiating table, holding out for a better deal. And it’s understandable, given that under his current contract, he’s been forced into debt.
“That doesn’t work for me, because I don’t feel protected in those terms — in the past two years I fought twice and I have to borrow money to live,” continued Ngannou. “Nobody cares about that. I have no guarantee and I have no protection, so based on that experience I want to get something better, better terms on my contract, and obviously paid what I deserve.”
Ngannou, however, still has love for the UFC, and hopes he can work out a deal to continue fighting under its banner.
“The UFC is a beautiful and nice promotion,” said Ngannou. “I love being in the UFC. The only part that is challenging now is behind-the-scenes part. But fighting, I love it. That’s for sure, I love the promotion, that’s not questionable. I still hope that this works out. I still hope, I wish that it would work out. In the meantime, if it doesn’t work out, I can’t do anything.”
What do you think? Is Francis Ngannou being treated unfairly by the UFC?
Francis Ngannou doesn’t believe a matchup with Ciryl Gane is on the same level as Jon Jones. Although not official, Ngannous is expected to face Gane in a heavyweight title unification clash at UFC 270 which takes place early next year on January 22. Gane, of course, won the interim strap when he TKO’d Derrick […]
Although not official, Ngannous is expected to face Gane in a heavyweight title unification clash at UFC 270 which takes place early next year on January 22.
Gane, of course, won the interim strap when he TKO’d Derrick Lewis at UFC 265 in August. But it could have very easily been Jones facing Ngannou instead as it looked like the matchup to make — until Jones ran into pay issues with the UFC again.
And while Ngannou believes a matchup with Gane is still a good fight, the reality is it’s nothing compared to one with Jones.
“Not particularly,” Ngannou said when asked if it was as exciting as a fight with Jones (via MMA Fighting). “But it’s a good fight. You have to be aware of the danger of any fight, so it’s a fight, he’s a good opponent, but not on the level of a Jon Jones fight for example if that’s what you’re asking. It’s not the same thing.”
One may think that Ngannou and Gane being former teammates in France would make the matchup even more interesting with a backstory and everything.
However, “The Predator” played down the extent of their relationship stating that they were not close friends and that Gane was briefly helping him out for his fight with Cain Velasquez.
That is also one reason why fighting Gane won’t be awkward for Ngannou.
“That will not be awkward,” Ngannou added. “Fighting for me is my job first of all. I take it as a job. Maybe some people take it as a personal issue, but it’s just a job.”
In 2016, Tyson Fury was driving his brand new Ferrari at 190 miles per hour when he decided to kill himself. “I was driving on this strip of the highway where I am and, at the bottom of this five-mile strip, there is a massive bridge that crosses the motorway,” he told Joe Rogan in […]
In 2016, Tyson Fury was driving his brand new Ferrari at 190 miles per hour when he decided to kill himself.
“I was driving on this strip of the highway where I am and, at the bottom of this five-mile strip, there is a massive bridge that crosses the motorway,” he told Joe Rogan in 2018. “I got the car up to about 190mph and I was headed towards that bridge.”
Only a year earlier, Fury had defeated Wladimir Klitschko to become heavyweight boxing’s unified champion at the age of 27. He had it all. Flashy homes and cars. A loving family. The adulation of fans and pundits alike.
Tyson Fury and Wladimir Klitschko in their 2015 bout in Dusseldorf, Germany. PHOTO: SKY SPORTS
But having achieved that goal which for so long consumed his every waking thought—dethroning Klitschko—and feeling nothing but emptiness, he descended into a deep, suicidal depression.
“I didn’t care what no one was thinking, I didn’t care about hurting my family, friends, anybody,” continued Fury. “I didn’t care about nothing, I just wanted to die so bad, I gave up on life.”
“And just as I was heading towards that bridge at 190mph in this Ferrari—it would have crushed like a Coke can if I’d have hit it—I heard a voice saying: ‘No, don’t do this Tyson…’”
The Greatest Comeback In Sporting History?
In the depths of his much publicized mental health struggles, Fury had ballooned to over 400 pounds. Many believed he’d never make a boxing comeback, and at the time, Fury had no intention of doing so. He simply wanted to get his life back on track.
But in 2017, after being written off by many, most notably the “big dosser” himself Deontay Wilder, Fury posted a video to Instagram that has since proved prophetic.
Tyson Fury sent this message to Deontay Wilder back in 2017…
350lbs, struggling with his mental health, and written off by nearly everyone in the boxing world!
“Guess who’s back? The one and only,” declared Fury in the video. “Shout going out to the big ‘Bronze Bomber’ Deontay Wilder. Big respect, for giving me the motivation, telling me I can’t do it and that I’m finished. I’m coming back for you baby. I’m coming back for you!”
Just over a week ago, the “Gypsy King” made good on his promise by defeating Wilder for the second (arguably third) time in their trilogy bout, placing the capstone on one of the greatest comebacks in sporting history.
Is A Transition To MMA On The Cards?
Now at the summit of boxing, all that’s seemingly left for Fury is to become its first undisputed heavyweight champion in over 20 years by defeating Oleksandr Usyk.
Sure, there’s also potential matchups with the likes of Andy Ruiz, Dillian Whyte and of course Anthony Joshua—who despite his recent loss to Usyk, would still present a hotly anticipated showdown (if he defeats the Ukrainian in their rematch). But in this era in which boxing-MMA crossover fights are becoming increasingly fashionable, will we ever see Fury strap on the four-ounce gloves?
It’s somehow almost comical to visualise Tyson Fury with his back on the canvas, throwing up a triangle. Or swivelling on his heel to send out a question mark kick. But if the “Gypsy King” is anything, he’s a man whose outward appearance belies his athletic abilities.
Tyson Fury and his dad, “Gypsy” John. (Photo: Sportsfile – Getty)
With a body drawn upon the lines of a puddle of spilled milk, Fury looks like he should be a slow, flat-footed, plodding giant. Instead, he moves with the agility of a man 100 pounds lighter. His feints, head movement and phenomenal cardio—in addition to a ring IQ that comes with boxing since the age of 10—are what has made him the greatest heavyweight boxer of his generation.
And it’s this athleticism that his father, “Gypsy” John Fury—whose uncanny likeness to his son could easily see him moonlight as the world’s best Tyson Fury impressionist—believes Tyson could apply with success in MMA.
“With the right training, he’d do very well,” John told Dan Hardy in August. “I’ve seen him excel in different sports like wrestling, so I’ve got kind of an idea what Tyson was from that. I know he can use more than his hands.”
“He’s quick, light on his feet and I do believe, if a top MMA trainer took him on, he could do big things with him—ask Darren Till. The rougher it gets with Tyson, the better he likes it. When he does finally retire from boxing, he’ll probably go to that [referring to MMA] and come back to boxing, but he will engage on that you’ll see.”
Tyson Fury Nixes MMA Switch, But Open To Crossover Fight
Tyson and his dad clearly have different ideas about his boxing retirement plans, however. In June, Fury put paid to any speculation that he’ll make a transition to MMA.
“No, I’ve got no real interest in grappling up and down on the floor and all that sort of stuff,” Fury told talkSPORT. “I’m a stand-up fighting man, I don’t wrestle up and down and grab each other’s arms and sit on each other and all that.”
With the blood of a thousand proud Irish Traveller bare-knuckle boxers flowing through his veins, Tyson seems to be a man for whom the Marquess of Queensbury rules are sacrosanct. The sweaty, gnarly art of grappling, he believes, carries with it little of the nobility so ingrained in the Sweet Science. And while he’s locked in a ring or cage, never the twain shall these two disciplines meet.
The “Gypsy King,” however, didn’t completely shut the door on a striking-only fight with an MMA fighter.
“I’ve no interest in all that stuff; I like to stand up and fight so would I ever compete as an MMA fighter? Hell no! Would I compete with small gloves on in a cage in a fight? Yes. But no gripping and grappling. The noble art of standing up and what men have been doing for centuries; I don’t see any noble science in wrestling up and down the floor.”
Who Could Tyson Fury Face?
Were Fury to officially declare his openness to a crossover bout, you could imagine that plenty of UFC fighters past and present would throw their hat into the Octagon.
Some, like Vitor Belfort, already have. High on his quick stoppage victory over 58-year-old Evander Holyfield last month, Belfort declared that Fury, in addition to Canelo Alvarez and Jake Paul—basically any boxer, no matter how big or small—can get it. So if there’s a boxing commission on the planet that takes a liberal approach to booking criminally mismatched fights, Fury always has a matchup with “The Phenom” to look forward to.
Tyson’s most likely, and perhaps only realistic opponent however, is Francis Ngannou, who’s traded barbs with Fury in the past, and has often hinted at making the switch to boxing. If Ngannou defeats Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 in January, and with Jon Jones’ extracurricular activities having likely ended hopes of a super fight, he may soon join Fury in that rare club of being the heavyweight with no one exciting left to beat.
It’s unlikely the UFC would ever green light a one-off, striking-only bout under its banner. But given Ngannou’s recent gripes with his employer, he’d surely be keen to land a big payday by stepping into the ring, rather than Octagon, to box Fury.
This month, renowned boxing trainer Teddy Atlas threw a wet rag on hopes that the matchup would deliver anything resembling the edge-of-your-seat excitement of Fury vs. Wilder.
“Let’s be honest with ourselves, if it’s not gonna be based on MMA rules, if it’s gonna be with boxing rules, the guy who’s been boxing since he was 12 years old, the guy who’s had 200 amateur fights, the guy who’s trained in a gym for all those years to be a top boxer, he’s gonna have a huge edge, maybe an insurmountable edge to be quite frank,” Atlas told Submission Radio.
“It would be a big money fight. Would it be competitive? Most likely not… Fury is a pretty complete package, besides having the advantage of years and years of boxing training.”
Still, seeing Fury fight Ngannou—perhaps an even bigger power puncher than Wilder—to decide who is truly the Baddest Man on the Planet, would be a bout to move the needle and capture the imaginations of many.
Francis Ngannou doesn’t believe a matchup with Ciryl Gane is on the same level as Jon Jones. Although not official, Ngannous is expected to face Gane in a heavyweight title unification clash at UFC 270 which takes place early next year on January 22. Gane, of course, won the interim strap when he TKO’d Derrick […]
