Francis Ngannou poetically celebrates MLK day after being ‘free’ from shackles of UFC contract

Francis Ngannou gives his first reaction to no longer being part of the UFC organization. He celebrates it with a Martin Luther King speech.

Francis Ngannou poetically celebrates MLK day after being ‘free’ from shackles of UFC contract

Francis Ngannou celebrates MLK day (Image Courtesy - Inquirer/MMA Fighting)

It was quite fitting that Francis Ngannou, who was fighting to be “free” from UFC’s strict contract was released from the organization on Martin Luther King Day. After 7 years of fighting under the UFC banner, the heavyweight fighter decided to leave the company as a champ.

This is only the second time in the history of the promotion’s 30 years that a champion has decided to not sign another deal. Francis Ngannou and UFC have been going back and forth over contract disputes for the last two years. After failed negotiations, Dana White announced this past weekend that they were splitting ways with the heavyweight champion.

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Ngannou, who has remained silent since the breaking of this news, took to Instagram to post a clip of Martin Luther King. The video shows MLK saying, “Free at last, Free at last, Thank God almighty we are free at last.” Ngannou has been fighting for freedom in his UFC contract.

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The heavyweight champ was offered more money than any other heavyweight fighter in the history of the promotion and still decided to decline. Ngannou’s main focus has been the constraints of UFC’s contract rather than the pay. The knockout king did not say much in his Instagram caption but wrote, “Happy MLK Day y’all”

Related: “I just want to be free,” Francis Ngannou explaining the actual reason for UFC dispute goes viral

What were Francis Ngannou’s issues with UFC contracts?

Francis Ngannou ufc
Francis Ngannou

The Cameroonian heavyweight shocked the world in 2021 as he defeated arguably the greatest heavyweight champion of all time via a brutal knockout. After becoming the champion of the division, Ngannou has not been very active. The fighter was very disappointed with his pay and also the terms of his contract.

When a fighter decides to sign a contract with the promotion, UFC does not allow the individual to fight in other ventures. Ngannou, who was deemed the “baddest man on the planet” believed he had great offers from the boxing world that he could make a fortune out of. However, his UFC contract stopped him from taking that route.

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Ngannou’s fight with the promotion has been entirely based on the freedom his contract gives him. The fighter claimed it felt like he was being held hostage by signing the UFC contract. Ngannou is now free to sign up for any organization and fight anywhere he wants in the world. There is no doubt that fans will continue to watch Ngannou fight wherever he goes.

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