Francis Ngannou may not appreciate a few words about him… Words made by Chael Sonnen yesterday.
Francis Ngannou still hasn’t settled his contract issues with the UFC. Just the day before yesterday, he said he was in no rush to sign a new contract. Eight months after his victory over Ciryl Gane but also his knee injury, things are still at a standstill. And it seems that the money and the “boxing” part that Ngannou asks for in his contract (he wants to fight Tyson Fury at all costs) is the biggest problem for the UFC.
But Chael Sonnen, he considers that Francis Ngannou has tested his status in the promotion for almost a year, but given his age, his injury and the current heavyweight fighters, he should perhaps be careful:
“Francis Ngannou made a statement. Francis said there is no new contract sent out and he is in no rush. Francis has one skill: he’s a very strong man, and he can punch people and knock them down. There’s nothing else to put on a resume… He’s 35… coming off an injury in the most coveted division in MMA history. Sometimes you have to test these things. Sometimes you have a theory and you need to test it. But it was tested for just under a year. And the UFC is moving forward on its side.
For Sonnen, Ngannou needs to realize that business is rolling for the UFC even if he is not there:
“It’s very hard to realize that they don’t need you. Fans aren’t taking to the streets with the pitchforks and lanterns like he thought they were going to. Business is good without him. The most anticipated comeback in the sport is a potential future opponent, not his own. These things are difficult. These things, they’re not overly nice… I’m in a position to be a little critical. Do you think it feels good to find out that you are not needed and maybe not even wanted? 35 years old, coming out of an injury, and people aren’t clamoring for his return…to a division that’s been coveted since the beginning of time…”
“Francis didn’t play anything wrong…Francis took a hit. He had a theory and he tested it. Someone is going to have to sit in front of him and explain this to him…Francis now has the evidence he needs. It’s all around him. The heavyweight fight we’re talking about the most right now is Stipe Miocic vs. Jon Jones, while Francis is almost healthy, we still don’t talk about it. »
