Joe Rogan enters the octagon during the UFC 225: Whittaker v Romero 2 event at the United Center on June 9, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Joe Rogan is hopeful that Francis Ngannou will return to the UFC
Francis Ngannou has cut all ties with the UFC because he and the company were unable to agree on a new contract while he was still the heavyweight champion. Dana White, president of the UFC, has stated that the company offered Francis Ngannou a contract that would have made him the highest-paid heavyweight in MMA history. The Cameroonian fighter, who was 36 years old, had other motivations besides money.
Ngannou has been outspoken about his desire for more autonomy in the creative process in upcoming contracts, saying he felt the UFC was telling him to accept the money and keep quiet at various points during negotiations. During those same contract talks, Ngannou says he proposed fighter health insurance and asked for an advocate to participate in future contract discussions as a fighter representative against the promotion.
Speaking on a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, Rogan stated:
“The perfect world is (Francis Ngannou) goes over, has some big money heavyweight boxing fight. Jon Jones and Ciryl Gane have a fight. Jon wins, Ciryl wins, whoever wins is the UFC champ and then Francis comes back. He can totally come back. Francis, if you’re listening, sir, please don’t sign an exclusive contract.”
Stipe Miocic, who has fought ‘The Predator’ twice in his career at UFC 220 and UFC 260, famously dropping his belt to the Cameroonian in their clash in March 2021, reacted to Ngannou’s exit from the UFC in a recent interview on The MMA Hour.
Speaking about Ngannou’s exit [via MMA Fighting], Miocic stated:
“I get it. I mean, it’s going to be a long time before any of that happens — [Ngannou was] trying to move [the sport] in the right direction, which is great, but it’s going to be a long time before any of that happens.”
Adding further on how he would have fancied a third fight against Ngannou, Miocic stated:
“I would’ve loved to have fought Francis again, but it’s not going to happen. Listen, it’s his decision. I wish he would’ve stayed because I wanted another crack at him. Unfortunately it didn’t turn out that way, but listen, he’s doing what’s best for him and his family. He thinks it’s the right way to go, and it’s his decision. I wish him nothing but the best and I hope it works out.”
While it remains to be seen if their paths collide in the future, Miocic has experience in the ring as a past champion of the Cleveland Golden Gloves. Miocic would welcome a rubber bout with Ngannou in a boxing ring rather than an MMA cage.
“That’d be fantastic [to box Ngannou]. Hell yeah, I love boxing.”
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