Francis Ngannou Discusses Contract Issues, Uncertain UFC Future

Dana White was conspicious by his absence following Francis Ngannou’s championship victory over Ciryl Gane in the UFC 270 headliner at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., on Saturday night.

Normally, the UFC president is in the Octagon to wrap the belt around the winner’s waist for championship bouts, and he was present in the cage for Deiveson Figueiredo’s victory in the UFC 270 co-main event earlier in the evening. However, White’s absence from Ngannou’s celebration and from Saturday’s post-fight press conference could be telling, as Ngannou and the promotion have been at odds in recent months.

“I don’t know. You have to ask him,” Ngannou said regarding White’s absence. “No, I did not have anything to do about that. I think that was their decision. I’m about to ask about that, too.”

Ngannou’s contract issues with the company have been well-documented, and he failed to come to terms with the organization prior to earning a unanimous decision over Gane at UFC 270. According to Ngannou, his grievances with the promotion go beyond financial terms.

“It’s not simply money,” Ngannou said. “Obviously, money is a part of it, but it’s also the terms of the contract that I don’t agree with.

“I don’t feel like it’s fair. I don’t feel like I’m a free man. I don’t feel like I’ve been treated good. It’s unfortunate that I have to be in this position, that I have to say that. I feel like everyone should have the right to claim for what’s best for them. At the end of the day, we put a lot of work for this job and we take a lot on our body to make it happen, so we can have a fair and square deal.”

As it stands, Ngannou’s title victory activates a championship clause in his contract, which includes three more fights with the UFC or one year -- whichever comes first. As someone who has fought infrequently in recent years, “The Predator” isn’t afraid to sit on the sideline for another year.

“In the past three years I have fought three times, so what does that mean? Once a year,” Ngannou said. “It wouldn’t be something strange. I’m not frustrated about anything, I’m at peace with my decision.”

Remaining with the UFC isn’t totally out of the question for Ngannou, but some things would have to change for the heavyweight champion to feel welcome within the Las Vegas-based promotion.

“I’ve expressed my willingness to stay in the UFC, to have a contract just to be respected,” Ngannou said. “The only reason why were are here, I think, is because at some point, I wasn’t respected. [Dana] could have taken way less to get this deal done but he went to a power position and got everybody frustrated, get me frustrated, get me to lose the desire of doing things.

“I get in this sport, I didn’t grow up dreaming about this sport. I just got into it because it was fun and all that stuff. Then you get to the point that you’re kind of find yourself at that point in the sport where it’s not fun, which is frustrating. It kind of messes with your mind. But I’m pretty good trying to stay focused, just think about the sport and nothing around it and hope that things are going to go right.”