MMA
Why Did Francis Ngannou Leave the UFC?
Francis Ngannou's journey from a small village in Cameroon to the top of combat sports is nothing short of extraordinary. After leaving the UFC in 2023 over contractual disputes, Ngannou pursued his dream of boxing, whilst he also earned a staggering contract with the PFL.
Francis Ngannou faces off against Renan Ferreira//Getty Images
Francis Ngannou departed the UFC in early 2023 after racking up just a single defence of his UFC heavyweight championship, after initially winning against Stipe Miocic.
Ngannou’s departure was not a shock however; Ngannou had been very vocal about the issues he had with the lack of fighter pay the UFC fighters get. In addition to this, he also wanted more freedom to pursue opportunities outside the UFC, including boxing, a sport that he had long been interested in.
Negotiations between Ngannou and the UFC's executives reached a breaking point when the UFC reportedly offered him one of the most lucrative contracts in heavyweight history.
The Cameroonian's issue wasn't just about money, he also wanted the ability to pursue a path into boxing, like when the company granted Conor McGregor's wish to fight Floyd Mayweather. However, the UFC did not want any part of this and the UFC's president Dana White publicly confirmed that the two parties could not come to terms, and Ngannou was immediately stripped of his heavyweight title.
From there, Ngannou was signed to the PFL under a contract which will see him earn $10 million per fight. He is yet to fight in the PFL due to his crossover to boxing, but he does have a bout scheduled for October 19th against PFL heavyweight tournament champion Renan Ferreira.
Francis Ngannou’s Life Story
Ciryl Gane of France//Getty Images
Ngannou grew up in extreme poverty, living in a small village in Cameroon. He worked in a sand quarry at the tender age of 10 years old, and it was at this time that he developed a dream of becoming a world-class fighter.
During his early adulthood, Ngannou took a journey to Europe as an illegal migrant, where he crossed deserts in order to try and find a better quality of life. Eventually, he arrived in Paris, homeless and without anything. Ngannou was soon taken under the wing of legendary French coach Didier Carmont, who introduced him to MMA.
Ngannou's natural freakish strength and work ethic saw him quickly rise through the ranks on the regional scene and he soon made his UFC debut in 2015. Within a few years, Ngannou became one of the most feared heavyweights in UFC history, known for his devastating knockout power.
In March 2021, Ngannou achieved his dream by winning the UFC Heavyweight Championship after knocking out Stipe Miocic in their rematch. He would later successfully defend his title against Ciryl Gane before becoming a free agent.
Daring to Be Great Has Paid Off for Francis Ngannou
Tyson Fury v Francis Ngannou//Getty Images
Francis Ngannou’s dream of stepping into the boxing ring came true on October 28th 2023 when he fought Tyson Fury, the reigning WBC heavyweight champion and one of the most skilled boxers of his generation.
Despite the odds being heavily stacked against Ngannou, he shocked the world by not only surviving all 10 rounds but also knocking Fury down in the third round with a powerful left hook.
Although Fury ultimately won the fight by a split decision, many fans and pundits praised Ngannou’s performance. For a man with no professional boxing experience, he showed the world that his power and stand-up skills were transferable to boxing.
Meanwhile, Fury faced criticism for his performance, as many expected a more dominant showing against an MMA fighter with limited boxing experience.
His stock skyrocketed after this and his performance and professionalism earned him a $20 million payday against Anthony Joshua, double what he earned against Tyson Fury.
Unfortunately, the fight against AJ did not go as planned and he walked into a brutal first round knockout against the former two-time unified world heavyweight champion. Nevertheless, he still achieved his lifelong dream of being a professional boxer, and he got paid handsomely for his troubles. But now the focus is on the next chapter in his MMA career.
Jake Staniland is a sports writer who excels in covering a wide range of sports: football, combat sports and the NFL - All three subjects are his lifelong passions.
Jake is a boyhood Sheffield United fan, which is often a curse that he thanks his family for. His favourite Blades player ever is Billy Sharp