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Nicolas Atkin

ONE Championship will not be signing Francis Ngannou after all.
Chatri Sityodtong – the martial arts promotion’s chairman and CEO – met the former UFC heavyweight champion in Los Angeles at the weekend to discuss a final offer.
Singapore-based ONE is set to stage its first on-ground US event on Friday in Denver, Colorado. The possibility of Ngannou making an appearance at 1stBank Centre seemed likely, after Chatri had previously told fans to expect “big news shortly” last week.
But talks with the free agent proved fruitless, and ONE has ended its pursuit of his signature.
“I met with Francis yesterday for almost 3 hours,” Chatri told the Post via text message on Monday. “ONE has decided to withdraw from the process of bidding for Francis Ngannou’s services.

“After careful reflection, we decided not to submit our final offer. Francis is a good guy and a good champion. I wish him continued success and happiness.
“At the end of the day, I didn’t feel Francis and I were fully aligned on non-financial matters. It is nothing personal. It is just a lack of alignment.”
ONE: Tabares says ‘I know I have to knock Rodtang out’
The 36-year-old Cameroonian-Frenchman became a free agent in January after letting his UFC contract expire, despite still holding the Las Vegas-based MMA promotion’s heavyweight title.
Ngannou (professional MMA record 17-3) has attracted interest from several other big combat sports organisations, and has long expressed his desire to compete in a big-money boxing bout against Tyson Fury.
Bellator president Scott Coker and Bare Knuckle FC chief David Feldman have both seemingly questioned his financial demands, however.
“The Predator” said last month he was in “serious” talks with Singapore-based ONE, as well as the US-based Professional Fighters League – who are reportedly confident of landing his signature.

Ngannou last fought in the UFC in January 2022, but the promotion’s president Dana White claimed he turned down a new multi-bout contract worth US$8 million to fight Jon Jones, who claimed the vacant title in March.
“We’ve been in discussions,” Chatri had told Ariel Helwani’s MMA Hour last week, regarding Ngannou. “I like Francis, he brings a lot to the table, but he’ll have a tough time in our heavyweight division, to be frank, which I’ve said publicly.
“For sure, ONE can give him the biggest offer on the table out of all of his bids but it has to work for him and for us. I just believe meeting somebody, you get the energy. I think there’s gonna be big news on Francis shortly, and I think he’s taking his time.
“From the few interactions I’ve had with him, he’s very thoughtful and methodical and careful, and at same time he’s a very principled man. A dollar here or there won’t sway him, it’s principles, that’s what’s very admirable about him.”


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ONE Championship: Chinese fighter Banma Duoji added to Fight Night 24, main event in doubt

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ONE Championship

ONE Championship ends talks with former UFC champ Francis Ngannou after ‘careful reflection’

Francis Ngannou holds the UFC heavyweight title as he speaks to the media after defeating Ciryl Gane Gane at UFC 270. Photo: AFP

Chatri Sityodtong at the ONE Fight Night 8 press conference in Singapore. Photo: ONE Champiionship

Francis Ngannou (centre) celebrates victory over Ciryl Gane at UFC 270. Photo: AFP

ONE Championship: Rodtang casts doubts on Superlek fight, wants Jonathan Haggerty at bantamweight

Rodtang Jitmuangnon (left) and Superlek Kiatmoo9 were set to fight for flyweight kickboxing gold at ONE Fight Night 8 in Singapore. Photos: ONE Championship.

Jonathan Haggerty hoists the ONE bantamweight Muay Thai belt after a KO of Nong-O Hama.

Rodtang Jitmuangnon celebrates after winning the ONE flyweight Muay Thai title from Jonathan Haggerty in Manila.

ONE Championship is ‘the only challenge’ for Francis Ngannou, says Chatri – ‘he’ll have a tough time in our heavyweight division’

Francis Ngannou speaks to the media after defeating Ciryl Gane in their UFC 270 title fight. Photo: AFP

Chatri Sityodtong at the ONE Fight Night 8 press conference in Singapore. Photo: ONE Championship

Francis Ngannou punches Stipe Miocic in their UFC heavyweight title fight at UFC 260. Photo: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

ONE Championship: Angela Lee to ‘honour’ sister Victoria in New York AAPI charity run after death at 18

Angela Lee (right) with her sister Victoria Lee during training at their family’s United MMA gym in Hawaii. Photo: Instagram/@angelaleemma

Angela Lee with her 2-year-old daughter Ava Marie Pucci.

ONE Championship Friday Fights 14: Gingsanglek scores US$10,000 bonus for head-kick KO of Chorfah in main event

Gingsanglek Tor Laksong knocks out Chorfah Tor Sangtiennoi. Photos: ONE Championship.

Kongchai Chanaidonmueang (left) and Xavier Gonzalez embrace after their exciting Muay Thai fight at ONE Friday Fights 14 in Bangkok.

ONE Championship signs kickboxing star Takeru Segawa to ‘exclusive, multiple fight deal’

Takeru Segawa signs with ONE Championship. Photo: Chatri Sityodtong/Facebook

Sport

Martial Arts

Mixed Martial Arts

Chatri Sityodtong says he spoke with Ngannou last weekend for ‘almost 3 hours’ to discuss a final offer
‘I didn’t feel Francis and I were fully aligned on non-financial matters. It is nothing personal,’ ONE boss tells the Post


Chatri Sityodtong says he spoke with former UFC champ for ‘almost 3 hours’ to discuss final offer but ‘didn’t feel Francis and I were fully aligned on non-financial matters’.


Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)

ONE Championship ends talks with former UFC champ Francis Ngannou after ‘careful reflection’

Chatri Sityodtong says he spoke with Ngannou last weekend for ‘almost 3 hours’ to discuss a final offer ‘I didn’t feel Francis and I were fully aligned on non-financial matters. It is nothing personal,’ ONE boss tells the Post

Chatri Sityodtong says he spoke with Ngannou last weekend for ‘almost 3 hours’ to discuss a final offer

‘I didn’t feel Francis and I were fully aligned on non-financial matters. It is nothing personal,’ ONE boss tells the Post