Francis Ngannou still without a contract after another promotion drops out of negotiations

Francis Ngannou has been a free agent since leaving the UFC back in January.

There’s been a lot of speculation about where he will land, and how much money he will land in the process.

The former UFC heavyweight champion hasn’t competed since January 2022, so is coming up to 17 months without stepping into the ring.

And it’s safe to say fans are itching for him to go into action.

However, fans may be waiting a while longer as it seems like the Cameroon fighter is sticking to his guns when it comes to financials.

He recently met with ONE Championship, a rival promotion to UFC, which showcases Muay Thai, kickboxing, MMA, and grappling.

CEO Chatri Sityodtong said that after a three-hour meeting with the heavyweight, that they would be pulling out of the race to secure his signature.

He told the South China Morning Post: “I met with Francis yesterday for almost three hours.

“ONE has decided to withdraw from the process of bidding for Francis Ngannou’s services. After careful reflection, we decided not to submit our final offer.

“Francis is a good guy and a good champion. I wish him continued success and happiness.”

And although money may be a key factor in negotiations, Sityodtong revealed that it went beyond that.

He said: “At the end of the day, I didn’t feel Francis and I were fully aligned on non-financial matters.

“It is nothing personal. It is just a lack of alignment.”

Ngannou reportedly turned down an offer from the UFC that would’ve made him the highest paid heavyweight in the company’s history.

So the man knows his worth.

The likes of Bellator, PFL, and BKFC have all expressed the desire to sign Ngannou but none of them have been able to reach a deal.

BKFC president David Feldman said that he was asking for ‘unrealistic money’.

A stint in boxing may be the route to go for the African.

However, with the likes of Anthony Joshua tied up with Deontay Wilder, and Tyson Fury possibly on a collision course with Oleksandr Usyk, there’s not much room for Ngannou with the elite this year.

So he may be a free agent for a little while longer.