Francis Ngannou was launched from Final Preventing Championship (UFC), president Dana White confirmed throughout UFC Vegas 67’s post-fight press convention on Sunday. White additionally confirmed that UFC had supplied Francis a profitable supply, which might have made him the best paid fighter within the promotion, nevertheless, the French MMA fighter declined to pen a brand new contract, making the undisputed heavyweight champion a free agent.
“We’re going to launch (Francis Ngannou) from his contract. We’re giving up the best to match. He can go wherever he desires and do no matter he desires,” mentioned White.
“We supplied Ngannou a deal that may make him the best paid heavyweight of all time. He turned it down,” added White.
Ngannou had grabbed the heavyweight title after securing a knockout win over Stipe Miocic at UFC 260 in 2021. The French had defended his title only one time, which was towards Ciryl Gane at UFC 270, following which he injured his knee.
With Ngannou launched the heavyweight division in UFC stays vacant and White confirmed that Jon Jones and Gane will lock horns for the title at UFC 285 in March at Las Vegas.
Will probably be attention-grabbing to see the place Ngannou strikes subsequent, contemplating he’s among the many most reputed free brokers to enter the open market in MMA historical past.
In the meantime, Jones is a two-time UFC mild heavyweight champion, and has defended the title 11 occasions from 2011-20, which noticed him defeat a few of largest names together with Daniel Cormier, Glover Teixeira, Maurício Rua, Quinton Jackson, Lyoto Machida, Rashad Evans, Vitor Belfort, and extra.
Gane, then again, has received eight of his 9 UFC appearances. His solely loss was towards the previous heavyweight champion Ngannou, which was his first problem for the UFC title.