'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Francis Ngannou isn't shy when it comes to expressing his dissatisfaction with the premier MMA organization in the world. The Cameroonian UFC heavyweight champion revealed in a video on his YouTube channel that his problems with the UFC started in the aftermath of his first fight with Stipe Miocic at UFC 260.
Ngannou's manager Marquel Martin pointed to when Francis lost to the then-UFC heavyweight champion as being the start of when things began to sour between 'The Predator' and Dana White.
Skip to 8:59 to hear Ngannou talk about his problems with the UFC:
Francis Ngannou was pushed by the UFC in his first fight against Stipe Miocic, while the then-heavyweight champion had issues of his own with the organization. After 'The Predator' lost the fight, White had the following to say about the heavyweight champ:
"Everybody was talking about him. I thought that he was going to be the next guy. I think his ego ran away with him, big time. I could tell you that his ego absolutely did run away with him. I had some personal encounters with him, as did other people in the organization - and this guy's ego was just so out of control. Ego is what hurt Francis Ngannou."
Francis Ngannou revealed his thoughts about the whole situation at the time and how he felt the UFC was controlling the narrative and painting him as the 'bad guy.' The heavyweight champion said the following:
"I was silent and they were trying to control the narrative and manipulate people's perspectives, people's opinions about it. And, then I was just like a bad guy - a guy that didn't want to fight. Then you [UFC] go out there and control everything, and make me be the bad guy here, which I'm not. I just want what's best for me, as everyone should. And you should understand that you guys want what's best for you, same here."
Will Francis Ngannou fight Jon Jones at UFC 285?
The UFC targeted UFC 285 in March for the much-anticipated return of former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones in his heavyweight promotional debut. Who Jones will face Jones in the fight, however, is still subject to speculation.
Most analysts and fans have been pointing to Ngannou to fight Jones in his second title defense. The thing is, Ngannou's last fight against Ciryl Gane was the last fight on his current contract.
However, there is a championship clause in the contract. It states that the heavyweight champion's contract could be extended by a year or three fights. The stipulation depends on what Ngannou opted for if he won his bout against 'Bon Gamin' at UFC 270.
Following his first title defense, Ngannou underwent reconstructive surgery on his ACL and MCL with a recovery period of eight to 12 months. 'The Predator' has expressed that he would return to the octagon only if the UFC hiked his pay. For now, fans can only wait and watch.
