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Tom Taylor

The Takedown | Why Francis Ngannou should consider ONE Championship after cutting ties with UFC

  • Ngannou is no longer the UFC heavyweight champion, having officially parted ways with the promotion after a prolonged contract dispute
  • Cameroonian-Frenchman will most likely end up in the boxing ring, but should consider ONE as he plots his next move

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Champion Francis Ngannou holds the championship belt in the press room after defeating fellow Frenchman Cyril Gane on January 22, 2022. Photo: AFP

Francis Ngannou is now a free agent, and the former UFC heavyweight champion would be wise to consider Singapore-based ONE Championship as he plots his next move.

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Ngannou, who won the UFC heavyweight title with a knockout of Stipe Miocic in March of 2021 and defended it with a decision win over Ciryl Gane in January 2022, was on the outs with the promotion for most of last year.

And at the culmination of last Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 217 event in Las Vegas, company president Dana White revealed to reporters that the two parties have finally cut ties.

“We’re going to release him from his contract, we’re going to give up our right to match, and he can go wherever he wants and do whatever he wants,” White said. “That’s where we’re at.”

Francis Ngannou punches Stipe Miocic at UFC 261 in March 2021. Photo: Getty Images/Zuffa LLC
Francis Ngannou punches Stipe Miocic at UFC 261 in March 2021. Photo: Getty Images/Zuffa LLC

Just like that, Ngannou became arguably the hottest commodity in all of combat sports.

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