Midnight Mania: Ngannou Refutes White Lie, Claims UFC Contract A ‘Trap’
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
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Francis Ngannou seems happy with his choice to leave the UFC ranks.
“The Predator” left the promotion as active Heavyweight champion. He used his newfound free agency to leverage a massive contract with PFL and cross over into the boxing ring. After giving Tyson Fury everything he could handle and getting smoked by Anthony Joshua — making many millions of dollars in the process — Ngannou will return to the cage opposite PFL Heavyweight champion Renan Fereira.
UFC CEO Dana White recently addressed Ngannou’s windfall earnings, and he wasn’t so impressed. According to White, UFC could have matched if not exceeded what Ngannou has earned since leaving the promotion, and he advised against trusting the reported numbers.
“Unless he was the one writing me the check, I don’t see how he can know that.“ Ngannou responded in a recent interview. “Me, as the inside one who was receiving the money after leaving the UFC and from what the UFC was proposing — it was just a trap. It wasn’t a solid contract. That’s a lie.”
Ngannou vs. Ferreira is scheduled for Oct. 19, 2024 inside The Mayadeen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Prior to his boxing excursion, Ngannou most recently defeated Ciryl Gane via unanimous decision to defend his UFC belt. Ferreira, meanwhile, hasn’t lost since August 2022 and won his last four bouts via knockout, setting up an exciting “Battle of the Giants.”
Insomnia
Brendan Allen vs. Marvin Vettori seems like an obvious fight to make. Hopefully, “The Italian Dream” is back in action sooner than later.
February we got business to handle @MarvinVettori. So its very clear I specifically asked for you, if the fight doesn't happen its bc of you. February 22 or 15 if 22 isnt in USA. I will be there yet again, will you?
— Brendan Allen (@BrendanAllenMMA) October 9, 2024
Im definitely good with fighting you let’s see about the timing
— Marvin Vettori (@MarvinVettori) October 9, 2024
“Boom” Brian Kelleher exceeded expectations and always brought the action.
❌ Fighter removed: Brian Kelleher
— UFC Roster Tracker (@RosterTracker) October 9, 2024
An unlikely friendly interaction between former foes!
What a cool moment pic.twitter.com/pWMUhzqZSY
— ᴛʜᴇᴀʀᴛᴏꜰᴡᴀʀ (@TheArtOfWar6) October 8, 2024
I’m not weighing in on the Alex Pereira vs. Khabib debate because it’s goofy, but these clips are very funny.
“Alex Pereira is so much better than khabib, he’s beaten 4 former champs”
The former champs: pic.twitter.com/WQxDAWtjiH
— . (@fightexpert_3) October 8, 2024
I’ve definitely posted a similar clip of Beterbiev in the past, but his wrist exercises are still f—king wild!
THAT wrist exercise #BeterbievBivol | Saturday | #RiyadhSeason pic.twitter.com/TMlldQZ46r
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) October 9, 2024
A really fun booking at 145-pounds! Zalal has looked so sharp in his second UFC stint.
Jack Shore will fight Youssef Zalal at #UFCEdmonton on November 2nd. (first rep. ESPN) #UFC #MMA #UFCESPN #UFC2024 pic.twitter.com/DBx8w8xE9e
— Marcel Dorff (@BigMarcel24) October 9, 2024
Celebrating the start of Spooky Season with the Holloway family!
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Slips, rips, and KO clips
A vicious flurry started off by a counter hook:
WHAT MORE CAN PARIS MORAN DO?!?!#FuryFC97 pic.twitter.com/AetrgZLWBZ
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) October 6, 2024
Is it 2008? When’s the last time a closed guard kimura actually ended up submitting anyone in a cage fight?
Joe Hendershot taps Cristian Lopez with a kimura to end the #FuryFC97 prelims pic.twitter.com/Hf0eh0wiZU
— Fury FC (@FuryFightingTX) October 6, 2024
Punches landing with an absolute thud.
BRAVEの木村柊也バケモンじみた強さやんけ pic.twitter.com/0qZM72gx47
— 稲場よん(6歳) (@f6p6u) October 6, 2024
Random Land
Whale wars.
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Midnight Music: Rock, 1988
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.
