Francis Ngannou calls out the UFC for the massive power difference in negotiations, asks for affirmative actions
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Ngannou has said he finds it very difficult to negotiate with the UFC
Francis Ngannou’s lone struggle against the UFC continues as the champ enters the final stages of his rehab. However the closer he gets to making his return the more he feels disillusioned with the company’s working ways.
More recently he vented out these frustrations on an appearance at the Sirius XM Radio show. On the program, Francis talked about he constantly feels “Ghosted” by the UFC and increasingly becomes aware of the lopsided power dynamics in the company which leaves very little room for negotiation on a fighter’s part.
“When you look at the sport, you think everything is perfect? No, I don’t think everything is perfect. Over time, I realized there’s a lot of issues that can be fixed. I was getting frustrated at some point, because I feel unprotected, which is exactly the situation that all fighters are in, too”, said Ngannou about the current state of fighters in the negotiating process and the lack of insurance once out of the sport.
Francis also took issue with the way UFC handles it’s sponsorship deals and how most of the money goes to the organization rather than the athletes. He called for fighters to have their own sponsors on their kits even allowing the UFC’s oversight on deals so as to not air unappealing sponsors.
Francis was also very well aware of the risks he poses to his own career by taking a strong stance on the issue. Regarding the reprecrussion he might face for his advocacy, Francis said, “If I can do anything to prevent that to happen to anyone else, related or not related in the future, I would be happy to.”
Related: Francis Ngannou was “NOT IMPRESSED” by Ciryl Gane’s ELECTRIC fight against Tai Tuivasa
Francis Ngannou and the UFC’s pattern of disrespect towards their champion
Francis Ngannou’s problems with the UFC started when he lost his first fight to Stipe Miocic as he failed the UFC PR Machine by being unable to finish reigning champion. After this he was made to wait an arduous 4 year period before he received his next title shot, all the while demolishing all top-ranked contenders within the very first round. The delay was mostly due to the trilogy between Stipe and DC playing itself out.
Even after he captured the title, the disrespect seemingly continued as the UFC wanted to immediately pair Francis in his first title defense just 3 months removed from his title fight. For this they chose top contender and Francis’s ex-teammate, Ciryl Gane. Francis would decline the bout, leading the UFC to make a fight between Gane and Derrick Lewis for the interim title.
Francis Ngannou surprised many when he turned around the fight against Gane by depending on his wrestling to neutralize Gane’s superior skill on the feet. Since that fight, which was the last on his UFC contrary, Francis has been engaged with the UFC in drafting a contract that gives him more freedom outside the octagon.
Also Read: “Miles ahead of everyone”- Tom Aspinall believes Francis Ngannou vs Tyson Fury is a mismatch
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Jerin Mathew
(713 Articles Published)