Francis Ngannou, the formidable former heavyweight champion, has once again addressed critics who believe his departure from the UFC was a misstep.
In 2023, Ngannou chose not to renew his contract with the UFC after many of his demands went unfulfilled, leading to an impasse in negotiations. Following his exit, he secured a multi-fight deal with the PFL and also made headlines by stepping into the boxing ring against titans Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
However, the 39-year-old has only competed in one mixed martial arts (MMA) bout since severing ties with the UFC.
Earlier this year, Ngannou also parted ways with the PFL. He is now slated to return to action on May 16 under the Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) banner. “The Predator” is set to face Philipe Lins as part of a highly anticipated Netflix event featuring Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano.
Does Francis Ngannou Regret Leaving the UFC?
During a recent discussion with Ariel Helwani, Francis Ngannou emphatically stated that leaving the UFC was the “best decision of his life.” He views this bold career move as an integral part of his legacy:
“It’s the best decision of my life… It’s part of a legacy because I’ve done something that nobody has done before. Nobody could have reached the position I’m in right now before.”
Ngannou elaborated that his departure from the UFC opened doors to more lucrative opportunities. He pointed to his involvement in Most Valuable Promotions’ inaugural MMA event and Netflix’s first-ever live MMA broadcast as proof:
“I opened that door, and I did it my own way. I was the first. What do you want me to prove? I went out there being the first to take on two of the best boxers at the moment, and now I’m the first to open the first MMA event on Netflix… If somebody doesn’t understand, then they need no explanation.”
Previously, following the Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano press conference, Francis Ngannou had also offered his perspective on whether his decision to leave the UFC impacted his legacy. He told MMA Junkie:
“Let me tell you what’s legacy. My legacy right now is my kids back home, my family back home getting health care, getting security, being able to put food on the table, and being able to put a roof over their heads. That’s a better legacy. You can have the Muhammad Ali legacy, or whatever you want; if your kid cannot attend school, he has no place in society. If your kid doesn’t have food in his stomach, that legacy doesn’t help you for anything.”
“You cannot go to the store, or to the gas station, or to school, and pay the school a fee with legacy. You have to understand that. This is bullsh*t; the promotion feeds fighters and tricks fighters, and they’re all out there ‘fighting for legacy.’ Good for you. Keep the legacy. Give me my pay, what I deserve.”