Francis Ngannou’s coach, Eric Nicksick, has hit out at the UFC’s stance towards the fighter.
Ngannou is the former UFC Heavyweight Champion who left the organization last year on bad terms. Contract talks broke down as Ngannou expressed his criticism over the terms offered. He felt his status as an independent contractor would be undermined, thus reducing his rights. Dana White refused to ever work with him again after reports that Ngannou turned down an $8 million offer to stay with the UFC.
It also means the Jon Jones fight is unlikely after White refused a co-promotion with the PFL. Ngannou would sign with the PFL as he prepares to make his debut on October 19 against Renan Ferreira. Israel Adesanya recently stuck up for Ngannou, saying the UFC was disrespecting his legacy. This was after their UFC 305 build-up for his fight with Dricus Du Plessis removed any mention of Ngannou.
Adesanya On Ngannou
Du Plessis commented that he would be the first African to win a belt, later clarifying that he was the first residing African, which Adesanya did not take well. Izzy mentioned himself, Kamaru Usman and Ngannou as previous winners. The UFC also said Tafon Nchukwi was the first Cameroonian fighter in the UFC, thus dismissing Ngannou. Izzy then spoke out.
“You can’t erase Francis’ legacy in the UFC. It’s part of what we’ve done. It’s forever in history, in stone. So trying to whitewash it or just not talk about it is silly. I know he’s fighting for the PFL right now, but it’s still history. You can’t just turn a blind eye to it. I’m sure they’ll fix it eventually. This is how business goes with the UFC.
“He’s an [integral] part of what we’ve done in the UFC. Right now, I know there’s competition between other promotions and the UFC and battles, but you can never erase history. The streets, the internet will always remember. I think they’ll fix this eventually, but it’s just a lot of chest puffing. The UFC are smart people. They’ll understand and they’ll rectify this eventually,” Adesanya said
Ngannou’s Coach
Now, Ngannou’s coach has had plenty to say.
“It just doesn’t make any sense. I think it’s like if you had this break-up but you still learn something or you still gained something from that relationship and I think it takes somebody of Izzy’s stature and nobility of like he cares so much about Francis that he has a platform and he speaks up about it. Good on Izzy for seeing these injustices and speaking up on it. It’s just silly. It just actually, I think it brings more light and more negative connotation to the situation.
“Had they just been like, ‘Oh hey man, you know, he was a great champion for us while he was here.’ You don’t have to promote the guy but when you’re doing a stat that said the first Cameroonian fighter in UFC history, like wait a minute, you had a couple guys that were in there. It is what it is man, it’s their promotion, it’s their business what they decide to do. I just would never really understand the purpose or reason why behind it.”
The presence of the Saudis means there may be enough money on the table to make a Ngannou-Jones fight. However, there has to be a solid relationship in place if both sides can come together. That involves recognizing Ngannou’s achievements. White has apologized since then, saying he was unaware of this.
Dana White takes full blame for Francis Ngannou’s name being scrubbed from the UFC 305 Countdown show. https://t.co/1oJ45cVWZe pic.twitter.com/LKX2Xxrhul
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) August 21, 2024
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