Dana White Reveals The Ufc Are ‘hoping’ To Book Francis Ngannou Vs Jon Jones This 12 Months Amid Heated Contract Standoff

Jon Jones will make his return to the octagon in March after more than three years away when he meets Ciryl Gane for the now vacant heavyweight title at UFC 285. Of course, the question still stands, would the UFC be willing to let considered one of their top skills stroll away from the organization entirely, on the peak of his expertise. UFC President Dana White made the announcement following UFC Vegas sixty seven, where he also confirmed that Jon Jones will face Ciryl Gane for the vacant heavyweight title at UFC 285 in March.

Meanwhile, Jones, the previous mild heavyweight champion, is ready to return in opposition to Ciryl Gane in a bout for the vacant heavyweight title at UFC 285 on March 4 in Las Vegas. UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is reportedly on the final battle of his current contract with the promotion. ‘The Predator’, who faces interim champ Ciryl Gane in a title unification bout in the primary event of UFC 270, has been in prolonged, strained negotiations with the UFC over placing together a model new deal to compete contained in the Octagon.

Recently he made it clear that one of many sticking points has been his want for a boxing clause, that may permit him to compete within the ring as nicely as the cage. However, if Ngannou goes to stay by that provision, he ought to make certain it happens on his phrases. Francis Ngannou might be released from his contract and is now not the UFC heavyweight champion after he turned down a contract that may have made him the highest-paid heavyweight fighter in UFC history, UFC President Dana White mentioned in a press conference on Saturday. Dana White announced over the weekend that the UFC heavyweight championship belt was now vacant as Francis Ngannou was being released from his contract with the promotion and would not fight once more.

Francis Ngannou Released; Jon Jones Returns, Meets Ciryl Gane For Newly Vacated Heavyweight Title At Ufc 285

Francis Ngannou has vacated his UFC heavyweight title after becoming a free agent, president Dana White confirmed on Saturday. “We’ve been negotiating with for more than two years,” White mentioned, and added that Ngannou’s knee, which recently was surgically repaired, might be a difficulty for him, as properly. “We provided Francis a deal that might’ve made him the best paid heavyweight in the historical past of the company – greater than Lesnar, more than anybody, and he turned the deal down.” It has been no secret that contract negotiations between Francis Ngannou and the UFC haven’t gone well.

“You’ll should ask Francis that question, however in my view that’s what it is. The 36-year-old Ngannou is 17-3 (12-2 UFC) in his skilled career, with 12 knockouts and 4 submissions. He’s received six straight fights, including a second-round KO over Stipe Miocic, which earned him the heavyweight belt at UFC 260 in March 2021.

Controversial Mma Loss Of Jon Jones: The One Fighter To Beat Jon Jones In Ufc?

Jones (26-1 MMA, 20-1 UFC), a former longtime gentle heavyweight champion, has been teasing a return to action for his heavyweight debut since he vacated the 205-pound title in May 2020. He’ll meet Gane (11-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) for the belt the UFC has stripped from Francis Ngannou (17-3 MMA, 12-2 UFC) after a contract dispute with the promotion. After heavy contract negotiations over the previous two years, Ultimate Fighting Championship has determined to release its undisputed Heavyweight champion. This is based on UFC President, Dana White, who introduced the news during UFC Vegas 67’s post-fight press conference Saturday night time .

If I wish to give something to somebody, give me some assure in return. Like, I can signal a contract that I might not be able to battle one 12 months and don’t have any explanation and may declare something , as a result of at the finish of the day, the contract says is the decide, the jury, and the prosecution.

But with Ngannou entitled to depart the UFC at the end of this yr after preventing out the final bout on his deal, he has opened up on exactly what it is that he needs in a new deal, in addition to the chasm which currently exists in negotiations between each events. Should he lose to Gane, nevertheless, then it might just be that the UFC would rather wash their arms of the entire process than wade into negotiations with Ngannou over his boxing career. Whatever the long run holds, if Ngannou really desires to test himself within the boxing ring, he should find a way to do so with out the UFC’s interference.