Ciryl Gane insists Francis Ngannou made the ‘correct’ choice to leave the UFC

Francis Ngannou made the ‘correct’ decision to walk away from the UFC last month, according to fellow heavyweight Ciryl Gane.

Ngannou, who was the reigning heavyweight champion in the UFC, opted to part ways with the company after reaching an impasse in contract negotiations.

And, even though Ngannou’s departure opened the door to a title shot for Gane, the Frenchman insists his counterpart made the right decision in leaving the UFC.

speaking to medium easyGane said, ‘I think when you’re in the position [where] you want to make war with the UFC and you stay in your position like he did, I was not surprised by this decision [to let him go].

‘For me, I have something, maybe some opinions. He maybe he wants to quit his MMA career and just wants to make money in boxing. This is a choice and this is not the wrong choice. [to] me. that’s right [choice].’

In January it was announced that the heavyweight fighter would be released from his contract with the UFC after a breakdown in negotiations.

News of Ngannou’s departure shocked the MMA world as the ‘baddest man on the planet’ walked away from the UFC in search of a better payday.

There have been suggestions that the Cameroonian fighter could be ready for a crossover clash with Tyson Fury, which the ‘Gypsy King’ seems quite interested in.

Company president Dana White claimed Ngannou turned down a contract offer that would have made him the highest-paid heavyweight of all time.

However, during a spellbinding appearance on Ariel Helwani’s MMA HourNgannou revealed that UFC officials rejected three requests on behalf of his fellow fighters.

The demands included covering sponsorship rights, free health insurance, and an advocate to represent them at board meetings.

“I asked for sponsorship, the right to sponsorship, they have cheated us. We cannot have sponsorships,’ said Ngannou.

‘I asked for health insurance, I couldn’t. And I asked for a fighter advocate, someone at board meetings who could advocate for a fighter. I asked for that.

‘I couldn’t have those things I asked for. But I just wanted them to know that it’s something I do want, and I also wanted them to at least consider it.

Ngannou had been the heavyweight champion prior to his release, with his most recent defense coming against Gane himself.

In the highly anticipated bout, Gane appeared to be out-punching his opponent before Ngannou forced the Frenchman into a wrestling match.

The Cameroonian was crowned with the victory by unanimous decision but Gane now has another chance to win the title, after the departure of Ngannou.

The 32-year-old will share the Octagon with UFC legend Jon Jones, who will make his first appearance since 2020, in a heavyweight showdown in March.

‘I am very excited. Everyone wants to fight Jon Jones because Jon Jones has a great career,” Gane said on the podcast.

I’m so happy about it. I just want to say thank you to the entire UFC and thank you also to Jon Jones.

I am very excited because my coach also told me that the last time he was champion, I was playing basketball. So that’s really crazy to me, for a young guy with a young career. I feel lucky.