It’s an open secret that the UFC wasn’t too happy with Francis Ngannou’s departure at the height of his career. The Cameroonian possessed all the ingredients to become an all-time great with his devastating knockout prowess. The UFC was equally invested in promoting a man who hit opponents with the impact of a Ford Escort on a highway.

However, things took a nosedive when the heavyweight decided to part ways with the promotion. Many believed it was due to compensation demands, but according to Ngannou, it was more about the terms that hindered his boxing ambitions. Did the UFC simply let go of one of its most bankable stars just like that? Now, months after this high-profile split, Francis Ngannou has something to add.

Francis Ngannou exposes the UFC’s plans to keep him longer in the promotion

As he prepares for his boxing debut, Francis Ngannou is on his way to cash in on some substantial checks. It usually takes dozens of matches for someone to get a chance to face a star like Tyson Fury. But Ngannou secured this opportunity right from the get-go, thanks to his status as the former undisputed heavyweight champion of the UFC. However, this opportunity didn’t come without its challenges, as he had to overcome the struggles of growing up underprivileged in Cameroon.

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In addition to his personal challenges, there was also the UFC contract acting as a roadblock to his aspirations of facing big names in boxing. According to the heavyweight, terminating his contract with the MMA promotion wasn’t straightforward. He believes the UFC intentionally delayed his fights to prolong his tenure with the promotion. As evidence of his claim, Ngannou pointed to the timeline of his fights and how far apart they were. These revelations came during the fighter’s recent appearance on Joe Rogan‘s “The Joe Rogan Experience” podcast.

What Happened Between Dana White and Francis Ngannou? Why Did the UFC Get Rid of ‘The Predator’?

“We just want to fight, you know, it’s already September. Yeah, we are in September, and my last fight was in June, and we want to fight, you know. So, the new deal stuff be holding me back. They didn’t give me a fight,” said Ngannou. For the uninitiated, he was talking about the time after he fought Junior Dos Santos in June 2019 and had to wait almost a year before fighting again. Nonetheless, despite the hardships, the Cameroonian has secured the match of his dreams with a substantial paycheck. When the fighter steps into the ring against Fury, money won’t be the only thing on the line.

Ngannou’s ‘coach’ agrees to the ‘consequences’ in case the Cameroonian wins

There was a man who dominated the heavyweight scene in combat sports long before Ngannou. But that man didn’t fight inside the octagon; but inside the boxing ring. For those wondering, this man is none other than Mike Tyson. So, when Ngannou decided to make the move to boxing, who better to train the former champ than ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson himself?

However, it’s not just Ngannou who has a connection with the former boxing king. For those unaware, Tyson Fury‘s father, John Fury, is a big fan of Mike Tyson, as evident from his son’s name, named after his icon. During a recent press conference, the former bare-knuckle boxer put forward the condition that in case the ‘Gypsy King’ loses, ‘Iron’ Mike has to face him.

It’s a condition that Tyson seems to have given his consent to. Whether this bout will materialize depends on the outcome of Ngannou vs Fury.

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