Demetrious Johnson comes out in defense of Francis Ngannou
Francis Ngannou broke all ties with the UFC because he was unable to agree to a fresh contract arrangement with the company while he was still the heavyweight champion.
Dana White, the president of the UFC, disclosed that Francis Ngannou was offered a deal that would have made him the highest-paid heavyweight in the history of mixed martial arts (MMA). The 36-year-old Cameroonian fighter was motivated to battle for reasons other than financial gain.
There has been a lot of criticism of Francis Ngannou’s decision to quit the UFC, especially since the former heavyweight champion has yet to get a boxing match. Former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson, who departed the organization in 2018, has stated his approval of “The Predator’s” choice.
“I think it’s good for Francis. There’s many homes. I’ve been successful outside the UFC. Look at Sergio Pettis. He’s been very successful outside the UFC. Look at Anthony Pettis. He made, what, $700,000, fighting Roy Jones Jr.? There’s money outside the UFC.”
He added:
“I think with Francis Ngannou, he’s at that spot where he gets to dictate where he wants to go. He doesn’t want to be locked down under contract. Could you imagine if he fought Tyson Fury and made like $40 million? He’s not going to make that in the UFC in one fight. That’s the type of money that you’re going to be able to make in boxing. I think that’s worth the risk to take.”
Ex-UFC fighter advises Francis Ngannou to plead with Dana White to return to the UFC
Francis Ngannou has been encouraged to beg UFC president Dana White for a second chance by former middleweight title challenger Chael Sonnen.
Despite being offered a new contract, Ngannou decided to leave the promotion and relinquish his heavyweight crown early this year. With many offers on the table, including one from Deontay Wilder, “The Predator” is currently weighing his choices.
Besides the UFC, the Cameroonian star has been in talks to continue his MMA career with the PFL and YouTube star Jake Paul. Even though Ngannou’s future is still up in the air, UFC great Chael Sonnen thinks Ngannou was taken by surprise by an offer from Tyson Fury that isn’t likely to materialise.
Francis Ngannou is said to have wanted a hefty payday for bare-knuckle combat. In the wake of his UFC withdrawal, Francis Ngannou was criticized for “shooting himself in foot.”
In a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Chael Sonnen stated:
“Tyson Fury put out an April 1 joke on social media that he and Francis was done, and they are fighting in Wembley on May 1. Tyson Fury made a joke. Francis has changed his whole life… Because he thought he was going to make up a sport and do it with a guy who is now using it as an April Fool’s joke. He has to wake up, and he needs to call back his boss [Dana White]. “
“There are not a lot of (opponent options). If we’re playing chess here, I don’t have two or three steps for Francis. I don’t know how old Francis is. He says he’s 36. He’s at least 36. I don’t know how old he is. I’m not sure he knows how old he is. I don’t bring that up to try to be funny. His body has already given out on him.”
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