Francis Ngannou, the previous UFC heavyweight champion, made headlines together with his departure from the UFC in January 2023, citing a want for freedom and ideas over monetary acquire. Ngannou’s resolution to depart the group got here after a year-long negotiation course of that failed to handle his requests.
Francis Ngannou Leaving the UFC
Cameroon’s Francis Ngannou was attempting to make use of his affect as UFC heavyweight champion to barter for medical health insurance and the flexibility to pursue sponsorship offers for all fighters. Talking about his departure, Ngannou remarked, “It doesn’t matter how a lot [money] is in that contract, I’m not free. I’ve no energy”
Francis Ngannou has publicly said that he misplaced over $1 million as a result of UFC’s sponsorship restrictions. Particularly, the UFC’s unique cope with Crypto.com prevented Ngannou from securing a profitable sponsorship supply from a competing cryptocurrency platform, reportedly Coinbase. Ngannou expressed frustration over the UFC’s insurance policies, which barred fighters from pursuing their very own sponsorship offers for in-octagon appearances. He criticized the group for exploiting sponsorship alternatives for its personal profit whereas limiting fighters’ capacity to earn independently.
After leaving the UFC, Ngannou signed with the PFL in Could 2023. The deal contains not solely competitors but additionally roles as chairman of PFL Africa and a member of its world advisory board. He will get paid tens of tens of millions per battle and likewise ensures no less than a two-million payday for his opponent. With the PFL, Francis Ngannou can also be free to field and he has competed in two blockbuster boxing matches towards heavyweight royalty.
“I used to be all the time combating for the liberty and the chance to not have one thing in my approach… It’s my proper. And I declare that.” Ngannou defined on self-determination.
From working in a sand quarry as a toddler in Cameroon to being homeless on the streets of Paris, he rose to turn out to be probably the most feared fighters in blended martial arts. Reflecting on his struggles, he mentioned, “I used to be doing plenty of push-ups and plenty of abs. And working from the cops. That was holding you match. Working from the cops can preserve you match greater than ever”
Now, with the PFL, Francis Ngannou defeated the towering Brazilian Renan Ferreira by means of knockout to earn the heavyweight title. By strolling away from the UFC on the top of his profession, stood up for his ideas and likewise set a precedent for fighter autonomy in fight sports activities.
