This previous Saturday noticed the stunning information that Jon Jones would lastly debut at heavyweight by combating Ciryl Gane for the all of the sudden vacant UFC heavyweight championship, a title that grew to become vacant when the UFC and champion Francis Ngannou parted methods.
Ngannou and the UFC had publicly been at odds over pay previously, but it surely was sudden that the connection would come to such a sudden finish, with Ngannou as champion. UFC president Dana White tried to shift the blame for the break up to Ngannou, claiming he was prepared to supply a contract that may make Ngannou the highest-paid heavyweight in UFC historical past. However, White additionally claimed that Ngannou needed to search for simpler fights for extra money.
Setting apart White’s assertion that Ngannou needed to pursue “lesser fights for extra money” being one thing that strikes the center of the larger debate over fighter pay, White additionally mentioned that they waived their proper to match any Ngannou provide and that he was free to go the place he needs and do what he needs.
So, what’s subsequent for the most effective heavyweight on this planet? Let’s check out the highest three choices for Ngannou’s subsequent transfer.
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Bellator MMA
The pitch: The highest degree of heavyweight competitors exterior the UFC
Bellator president Scott Coker had expressed a willingness to convey Ngannou to the promotion in February 2022, as Ngannou’s public dispute with the UFC was ramping up. After Ngannou’s launch, Coker tweeted out an article from that point, seeming to once more counsel that the corporate can be prepared to signal Ngannou.
Bellator has probably the most attention-grabbing heavyweight roster exterior of the UFC by way of acquainted names. From heavyweight champion Ryan Bader to Fedor Emelianenko — who is about to retire following his upcoming rematch with Bader however is likely to be intrigued by the prospect of a battle with the most effective heavyweight on this planet — to different former UFC stars like Cheick Kongo and Tim Johnson.
From a aggressive standpoint, it needs to be believed Bellator would draw some curiosity from Ngannou, who little doubt needs to proceed combating large fights and proving his place in heavyweight historical past.
Professional Fighters League
The pitch: Big paydays and income sharing for fighters within the “Super Fight Division”
PFL would not have the deepest roster of heavyweights, nor are there many large names or fighters who can be thought-about wherever close to the elite degree of the game. What they do have, nevertheless, is cash.
PFL’s season format additionally crowns a champion who wins a $1 million prize, along with battle purses collected alongside the way in which. For reference, Ngannou made $600,000 in his win over Gane in his ultimate UFC outing, in keeping with the disclosed purse data launched by the California State Athletic Commission. Ngannou solely fought as soon as per yr the earlier three years. Participating in a PFL season would possible result in extra money in a yr than Ngannou had made within the UFC in any of these years.
PFL additionally has a “Pay-per-view Super Fight Division,” which options fighters who aren’t part of the common season roster, which can be a extra possible touchdown spot ought to Ngannou signal a PFL deal. That division acquired an enormous, splashy addition earlier this month when social media celebrity {and professional} boxer Jake Paul signed with the promotion. That division additionally encompasses a 50-50 income break up between the promotion and fighters.
Whether a spot within the “Super Fight Division” or within the common season, PFL is an interesting vacation spot for Ngannou as a fighter whose falling out with the UFC came visiting feeling he was not paid his value.
A visit to the boxing ring
The pitch: The greatest attainable paydays and an opportunity to achieve a profession objective
Ngannou has teased a want to field previously, most notably speaking up a possible conflict with heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. During Ngannou’s falling out with the UFC, each Ngannou and Fury repeatedly introduced up the potential of a crossover conflict.
Fury went as far as to name out Ngannou within the ring after his April 2022 knockout win over Dillian Whyte.
The thought of Fury vs. Ngannou within the boxing ring might sound foolish. Fury can be a heavy favourite in a real aggressive bout as a lifelong boxer and the most effective heavyweight of his period in opposition to a blended martial artist who’s making an attempt to transition to the ring at 36 years previous.
But Ngannou has mentioned he needs to provide boxing a go earlier than retiring and he clearly needs to make large cash and there isn’t any single possibility that would supply an even bigger payday than a battle with Fury. Even fights in opposition to lesser competitors to familiarize himself with boxing would possible present big paydays for Ngannou. And, ought to the Fury battle not come about, there possible are different large identify boxers who can be prepared to share a large payday with Ngannou, reminiscent of former champion Deontay Wilder.
The likelihood to check himself, in addition to life-changing pay, would definitely enchantment to Ngannou — which is why he has talked up the concept a lot previously.
