“Dana’s Highest Offer was $500 in Costco cards” – Fans go berserk as UFC boss announces shocking departure of Francis Ngannou
The UFC President has announced Jon Jones vs Ciryl Gane to headline UFC 285 and explained the fallout with Francis Ngannou. The announcement was made in the UFC Fight Night post fight presser.
Follow Us
Dana White announces Francis Ngannou's departure (Image Courtesy - Twitter/Barstool Sports)
UFC President, Dana White announced the shocking departure of Heavyweight Champion, Francis Ngannou today at the post-fight presser of UFC Vegas 67. The announcement came as a result of inactivity and a long-term contract dispute between the Cameroonian fighter and UFC on fighter’s pay amid talks of a potential fight with Jon Jones. Fans meanwhile have taken to Twitter to stand in favor of Francis.
While fans expected a mega clash between Heavyweight Titans, Jon Jones, and Francis Ngannou, it is the latter’s departure that has shaken the MMA community since Dana White announced the same at the UFC Vegas 67 post-fight presser. The UFC boss had been in a long-term negotiation with the Cameroonian champion for almost two years since his victory over former Heavyweight Champion, Stipe Miocic in March 2021.
It is believed that the negotiations were mostly concentrated on the fighter’s pay. Francis has been a long-term advocate against the UFC’s fighter pay policies and has openly addressed this issue knowing very well how much the UFC boss hates to address the topic. To add to the flame, Dana White announced Jon Jones vs Ciryl Gane for UFC 285. “We offered Ngannou a deal that would make him the highest-paid heavyweight of all time. He turned it down”, added White.
MMA fans have since been taking their frustration out on Twitter with the UFC boss right in the middle of the storm. “Dana’s highest offer was $500 in Costco cards“, a fan replied in response to Ariel Helwani’s tweet.
Twitter explodes after Dana White announces Francis Ngannou’s departure from UFC
The fans and the UFC had always hoped that the heavyweight clash would come to fruition since the fight had been in the making for three years. Some of the fans also believe that Dana White’s extreme negotiating tactics might be to blame for Ngannou’s departure.
Let’s be clear, because this is going to happen. It’s already started. Francis Ngannou, the man who demolished Stipe, beat 1/2 of the next title fight on one leg, and spent 2 years begging to fight Jones, did not leave UFC because he was scared of competition. Don’t fall for it.
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) January 15, 2023
I hope Dana White @danawhite figures this out and gets Francis Ngannou @francis_ngannou resigned. Would hate to see this guy leave the UFC and join the PFL. #MMA #UFC #MMATwitter pic.twitter.com/Z0OTKM1VFN
— ??? ?????????? (@mmamotivation_) January 12, 2023
Dana White had previously been called out by Jake Paul on the fighter’s pay issue but the Ngannou fallout has put the promotion in a difficult position as the fighter’s pay issue continues to haunt them.
The real question is did they really “release” him or did the contract expire and he chose not to re-sign?
— Allenownz (@Allenownz) January 15, 2023
They really let their Heavyweight Champion walk rather than pay him.
— Hyper Non Verbal (@november3leven) January 15, 2023
Dana has to protect his boy and fellow women abuser @JonnyBones
— T Bow. (@TBow82C) January 15, 2023
Would be hilarious if Jones came back, won the belt & retired right after
— Charlie Quinn (@CharlieQuinnMMA) January 15, 2023
Jon Jones vs Francis Ngannou was anticipated to be the most violent clash of two of the biggest names in MMA history which could have grossed high PPV buys because of these fighters’ popularity in the sport. However, the promotion has now confirmed that Ngannou is free of all contractual obligations to the UFC and is free to go anywhere.
In case you missed it:
Fans go wild as Umar Nurmagomedov secures KO win at UFC Vegas 67
Stay Updated!
Prateek Athanur
(2944 Articles Published)