Tag: UFC

Francis Ngannou’s Fight for Freedom: Why the UFC’s Biggest Star Walked Away

Francis Ngannou’s Fight for Freedom: Why the UFC’s Biggest Star Walked AwayFrancis Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion, made headlines with his departure from the UFC in January 2023, citing…

Francis Ngannou’s Fight for Freedom: Why the UFC’s Biggest Star Walked Away

Francis Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion, made headlines with his departure from the UFC in January 2023, citing a desire for freedom and principles over financial gain. Ngannou’s decision to leave the organization came after a year-long negotiation process that failed to address his requests.

Francis Ngannou Leaving the UFC

Cameroon’s Francis Ngannou was trying to use his influence as UFC heavyweight champion to negotiate for health insurance and the ability to pursue sponsorship deals for all fighters. Speaking about his departure, Ngannou remarked, “It doesn’t matter how much [money] is in that contract, I am not free. I have no power”

Francis Ngannou has publicly stated that he lost over $1 million due to the UFC’s sponsorship restrictions. Specifically, the UFC’s exclusive deal with Crypto.com prevented Ngannou from securing a lucrative sponsorship offer from a competing cryptocurrency platform, reportedly Coinbase. Ngannou expressed frustration over the UFC’s policies, which barred fighters from pursuing their own sponsorship deals for in-octagon appearances. He criticized the organization for exploiting sponsorship opportunities for its own benefit while limiting fighters’ ability to earn independently.

After leaving the UFC, Ngannou signed with the PFL in May 2023. The deal includes not only competition but also roles as chairman of PFL Africa and a member of its global advisory board. He gets paid tens of millions per fight and also guarantees at least a two-million payday for his opponent. With the PFL, Francis Ngannou is also free to box and he has competed in two blockbuster boxing matches against heavyweight royalty.

Francis Ngannou PFL 1 1
Photo by Tim Wheaton

“I was always fighting for the freedom and the opportunity to not have something in my way… It’s my right. And I claim that.” Ngannou explained on self-determination.

Francis Ngannou 1 1

From working in a sand quarry as a child in Cameroon to being homeless on the streets of Paris, he rose to become one of the most feared fighters in mixed martial arts. Reflecting on his struggles, he said, “I was doing a lot of push-ups and a lot of abs. And running from the cops. That was keeping you fit. Running from the cops can keep you fit more than ever”

Now, with the PFL, Francis Ngannou defeated the towering Brazilian Renan Ferreira by way of knockout to earn the heavyweight title. By walking away from the UFC at the height of his career, stood up for his principles and also set a precedent for fighter autonomy in combat sports.

Idris Elba or Jonathan Majors? Francis Ngannou Teases Casting for His Biopic

Idris Elba or Jonathan Majors? Francis Ngannou Teases Casting for His BiopicThe former UFC heavyweight champion and rising star in Hollywood, Francis Ngannou, recently shared insights about a potential movie…

Idris Elba or Jonathan Majors? Francis Ngannou Teases Casting for His Biopic

The former UFC heavyweight champion and rising star in Hollywood, Francis Ngannou, recently shared insights about a potential movie project based on his life. From walking across Africa to revitalizing the PFL and competing in blockbuster boxing matches; his life is a fantastic story.

Francis Ngannou Movie?

In an interview, Francis Ngannou revealed that he has received a promising offer from a production company to bring his story to the big screen. However, he believes the timing isn’t right yet. “I think the story is not done yet. I think we are maybe in the last chapter, but it’s not done,” Ngannou remarked, emphasizing his desire to wait until his journey is complete before moving forward with the film. Perhaps a future PFL MMA fight or another match in boxing.

Idris Elba or Jonathan Majors

When asked about casting for the lead role, Ngannou mentioned Idris Elba as his long-time pick but noted that fellow fighter Israel Adesanya suggested Jonathan Majors, known for his role in Creed III, as another strong candidate. “I used to always say Idris Elba [would play me] but Adesanya said to me the guy in Creed, Jonathan Majors,” He said. However, Majors’ recent career has been overshadowed by legal troubles, including a conviction for assault in 2023. Meanwhile, Idris Elba competed in kickboxing in the past.

After his parents divorced when he was six, Francis Ngannou lived a transient life, often moving between relatives. At just 10 years old, he began working in a sand quarry to support himself, earning less than $2 per day. Despite these hardships, Ngannou resisted pressure to join gangs and instead drew inspiration from his father’s reputation as a street fighter to pursue a positive path.

Francis Ngannou PFL 1
Photo by Tim Wheaton

Fascinated by boxing and inspired by legends like Mike Tyson, Francis Ngannou began training at 22 but had to pause due to illness and financial struggles. At 26, Ngannou left Cameroon for Paris to chase his dream of becoming a professional boxer. Homeless upon arrival, he eventually found support at a local gym where he was introduced to MMA. With the help of his coaches, Ngannou began his journey toward becoming one of the most formidable fighters in UFC history, competing in heavyweight boxing, and capturing the PFL MMA heavyweight title.

With this potential biopic in early talks, audiences eagerly await more updates on what promises to be an interesting cinematic project. Ngannou has risen to global prominence as a UFC champion, professional boxer, and now a budding Hollywood star with roles in the Fast and Furious franchise and Rebel Moon.

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2024 PFL Superfights PPV: Battle of the Giants at the Mayadeen Theater in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, October 19, 2024. (Jose Peñuela / 2024PFLPPV)

Eric Nicksick Addresses Backlash To Public Criticism Of Sean Strickland After UFC 312: ‘I Made A Mistake…’

Coach Eric Nicksick has spoken out regarding the reaction to how he responded to Sean Strickland’s failed attempt at reclaiming the UFC middleweight title earlier this month. The Xtreme Couture trainer was Down Under in Sydney, Australia earlier this month to corner Strickland at UFC 312. The former champion headlined in competition for Dricus Du […]

Coach Eric Nicksick has spoken out regarding the reaction to how he responded to Sean Strickland’s failed attempt at reclaiming the UFC middleweight title earlier this month.

The Xtreme Couture trainer was Down Under in Sydney, Australia earlier this month to corner Strickland at UFC 312. The former champion headlined in competition for Dricus Du Plessis’ gold.

While the South African had narrowly fallen on the right side of a split decision in their first fight, the rematch was far more convincing, with “Stillknocks” cruising to a lopsided decision victory across five rounds.

Strickland received plenty of flak for his performance, not least from his head coach. Nicksick gave a brutal assessment of his pupil, branding his attempt at winning back the middleweight belt “uninspiring” and questioning his motivation.

The 33-year-old evidently didn’t take too kindly to the public review, expressing plans to switch up his corner team moving forward while addressing the criticism in a social media video.

A number of other prominent names in the MMA space, from Daniel Cormier to Matt Brown, have also spoken out against Nicksick’s decision to publicly slate his fighter. And in the comments section of an MMA Fighting Instagram post showing “The Immortal’s” remarks on it, Strickland’s coach admitted to making an error.

Eric Nicksick

“@iamtheimmortal I agree, Matt, looking back at it I made a mistake,” Nicksick admitted. “My true intentions were to try and motivate him publicly, and that was a miscalculation on my part.”

It remains to be seen whether Strickland will push through with his plans to utilize new personnel for his next corner in spite of Nicksick acknowledging his mistake.

Alexa Grasso Returns At UFC 315 In Montreal, Faces Rising Contender On 12-Fight Winning Streak

Former UFC women’s flyweight champion Alexa Grasso has her first fight since losing the title in the calendar. Grasso (16-4-1) was unseated from the 125-pound throne last September at the second Noche UFC event. Having previously defeated and fought to a draw against the woman she took the gold from, Valentina Shevchenko, the Mexican was […]

Former UFC women’s flyweight champion Alexa Grasso has her first fight since losing the title in the calendar.

Grasso (16-4-1) was unseated from the 125-pound throne last September at the second Noche UFC event. Having previously defeated and fought to a draw against the woman she took the gold from, Valentina Shevchenko, the Mexican was unable to record a second victory over “Bullet” in their trilogy.

In the co-main event inside the Sphere, Grasso was comfortably beaten across five rounds. The one-sided manner of the loss ruled out any chance of the ex-champ getting an immediate shot at regaining the belt, and she’ll now have to earn it in a potential title eliminator.

And that now appears to be booked, with Sportsnet reporting that Grasso will share the cage with surging contender Natália Silva (18-5-1) at UFC 315 in Montréal, Québec, Canada on May 10.

Silva has risen to #5 in the flyweight division courtesy of a spotless 6-0 record on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage since debuting back in 2022.

The former Jungle Fight champion established herself as one to watch with a highlight reel knockout against Tereza Bledá and beatdown of Victoria Leonardo, and she’s since broken through into title contention with decision wins over Andrea Lee, Viviane Araújo, and Jéssica Andrade.

Should she add Grasso’s name to a winning streak that currently spans 12 straight fights, Silva would likely place herself in line to challenge the winner of Shevchenko’s expected title defense opposite Manon Fiorot this year.

Alex Pereira Also Open To Future Friendship With Jamahal Hill After Patching Things Up With Rival Israel Adesanya

When it comes to putting out fires in his combat sports career, a newfound camaraderie with Israel Adesanya isn’t the only unlikely friendship UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira is open to. While achieving unprecedented success in just a few short years under the UFC banner, former kickboxing star “Poatan” has already has his fair […]

When it comes to putting out fires in his combat sports career, a newfound camaraderie with Israel Adesanya isn’t the only unlikely friendship UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira is open to.

While achieving unprecedented success in just a few short years under the UFC banner, former kickboxing star “Poatan” has already has his fair share of rivalries.

Front and center is his feud with Adesanya, which was forged from two battles in the ring and the Brazilian ‘chasing’ his foe to the Octagon, where he dethroned him. A fourth clash between the pair finally went the way of “The Last Stylebender,” leading to talk of yet another installment.

But the pair have since swapped their back and forth for an apparent friendship. After some previous interactions, the pair sat alongside one another while in attendance at UFC 312 earlier this month. Adesanya even recited Pereira’s catchphrase during a video that the latter uploaded to social media.

And with one heated conflict now firmly in the past, “Poatan” is willing to do the same to another that’s currently raging on down the line.

During an interview on Straight Talk with Mark Bouris, Pereira was asked about the possibility of forming a similar bond with former opponent Jamahal Hill.

“Right now, at the moment no, because of a potential fight in the future. We fight in the same weight class,” Pereira said. “But if [it] happens just like Israel Adesanya, I’m not fighting him [Hill] anymore, I have no problem with that. We can be friends, train together; no problem for me.”

Pereira and Hill’s animosity arose ahead of their title bout at UFC 300 last April, with “Sweet Dreams” confidently downplaying the Brazilian’s threat only to be knocked out inside the first round.

As the American pursues a rematch, he attempted to confront Pereira at the UFC Performance Institute a couple of months back, with the champ’s coach ultimately getting between the pair after his man invited Hill to spar.

Gregory Rodrigues Blames Weight Cut For Jared Cannonier Loss: ‘I Had Serious Issues…’

UFC middleweight contender Gregory Rodrigues has spoken publicly for the first time since his crushing loss to Jared Cannonier at the Apex this past weekend. Off the back of three straight wins, Rodrigues had the opportunity to break into the top 10 and title picture at 185 pounds. Headlining for the first time, the Brazilian’s […]

UFC middleweight contender Gregory Rodrigues has spoken publicly for the first time since his crushing loss to Jared Cannonier at the Apex this past weekend.

Off the back of three straight wins, Rodrigues had the opportunity to break into the top 10 and title picture at 185 pounds. Headlining for the first time, the Brazilian’s shot at a major climb up the ladder came opposite a divisional veteran in Cannonier.

Despite a strong start that saw him drop “The Killa Gorilla” twice, Rodrigues was unable to make good on his favorite status, fading as the rounds went on before eventually being stopped with strikes in the penultimate frame.

“Robocop” addressed his defeat for the first time on Tuesday, claiming that severe issues during last week’s weight cut hampered his ability to compete at his best on fight night.

“It’s my birthday today, and even though it was a tough day at work, I’m grateful for everything God has done and continues to do in my life,” Rodrigues said in a statement on Instagram. “Big thanks to the @ufc team for the opportunity. I’m truly honored to have shared the octagon with the No. 7 in the division. Cannonier is a highly experienced fighter who taught me a lot in this fight! I saw several details that can be improved, things that will be changed. Winning Fight of the Night was a gift for two warriors who weren’t afraid to go to battle.

“Most people don’t know this, but I had serious issues on my recovery after weight cut. My body just wasn’t responding. I keep wondering how things would’ve played out if I had been at 100 percent. But no sad stories here. Robocop never dies! Time to recharge, reset the system, and upgrade, because I’m just getting started! Huge thanks for all the love, to my friends and family who always stand by my side, and to my real fans, you guys outshine the haters every time! Much love to my coaches at @killcliff_fc, my strength team @ihpfit, and my doctors & nutritionist @marceloferronutricao! Thank you all.”

Rodrigues will now look to polish up his weight cut and ensure similar issues don’t arise when he returns in pursuit of an immediate bounce back to the winner’s circle.

Cannonier, meanwhile, is looking for an opponent who can keep his championship hopes alive. While “The Killa Gorilla” appears unsure of who that could be, former champion Michael Bisping recently proposed a rematch with Robert Whittaker.