It was confirmed by UFC President Dana White during the Legal 67’s post-fight press conference on Sunday that one of their star performers, Francis Ngannou, was released from Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). The President of the organisation also confirmed that UFC had offered a massive deal for the French fighter to stay, but he declined to go ahead with it. Signing that deal would’ve made him the highest paid fighter in the promotion. 

The rumours are beginning to take rounds now, that the MMA professional is seriously considering a move to professional boxing. However, there have been multiple voices coming in from the world of boxing suggesting Ngannou to not consider this move, including that of former WBC cruseweight champion Tony Bellow. 

Stating that he is the best at what he does, Bellow told it would be a shame if the fighter decides to make this move to a whole different world after achieving so much as a UFC professional. “Terrible shame! He will not survive in a boxing ring against anyone of any note.. He’s the best MMA heavyweight in the world right now and he needs to stay within his discipline.”

In the past, Francis Ngannou had expressed interest in a possible crossover battle with Tyson Fury. It is an undeniable fact that professional boxers at the highest level generally earn distinctly more than elite MMA fighters and one cannot undermine that this could also be a reason behind “The Predator” planning to make a switch. He also feels that this could be his moment to earn big money with a clash like that of “Mayweather vs McGregor”. 

Ngannou had won the heavyweight title after registering a knockout win over Stipe Miocic at UFC 260 in 2021. The highly-rated fighter had successfully defended his title just once, which was against Ciryl Gane at UFC 270, following which he injured his knee and was ruled out for a long period of time. 

The heavyweight division in UFC now has one vacant position with the departure of Ngannou and While has confirmed that Jon Jones and Gane will lock horns for the title at UFC 285 in March at Las Vegas. It will be interesting to see where Ngannou moves next, considering he is among the most reputed free agents to enter the open market in MMA history.