Francis Ngannou‘s upcoming title defense at UFC 270 is surely exciting, but the focus has been on the heavyweight champion’s recent contract drama with the mixed martial arts top drawer promotion. While a solution is yet to come, the present situation is hinting at Ngannou’s possible departure from the UFC. Amidst all these, former heavyweight titleholder Daniel Cormier feels the disarray might have taken a toll on Ngannou’s mental health.
DC feels the contract drama may hinder Francis Ngannou’s performance against Ciryl Gane
Francis Ngannou and the UFC have not been in a smooth relationship in recent times. The reigning heavyweight champion has openly expressed his distaste towards his current contract with the mixed martial arts top drawer promotion and declined to sign a contract extension last year claiming a lowball offer and currently has one fight left on his contract- his upcoming title unification against interim champion Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 on 22nd January.
“No,” Ngannou said in an interview with ESPN last week, “I will not fight for $500,000 [or] $600,000 anymore. It’s over. I took this fight for personal reasons, because I want to make sure that regardless of [whether] it’s fair, I can make my case that I have completed the fights.”
In the meantime, UFC commentator Daniel Cormier, who himself sat on the heavyweight throne in the past, believes that all the fiasco surrounding Ngannou regarding his contract might have impacted “The Predator” mentally, which may affect his upcoming fight with Gane.
“I gotta be honest man, I’ve heard whispers that all the things that Francis is dealing with, outside of the actual fight, may be taking its toll a little bit mentally. I’m not sure, but we will see,” Cormier told ESPN MMA.
“I know that Francis Ngannou is a man. He is going to fight in any circumstance, he’s got the ultimate equaliser, but he has got to be locked in if he is going to keep his championship after Saturday night,” DC added. [H/T BJPenn.com]
Highlights:
- Daniel Cormier believes the drama Francis Ngannou has been involved regarding his UFC contract might have impacted him mentally ahead of UFC 270
- Ngannou is unhappy with his current contract and has declined to extend it
Do you agree with Daniel Cormier? Let us know in the comments.
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