Tim Kennedy weighed in on Francis Ngannou parting ways with the UFC.
The entire MMA community has focused their attention on ‘The Predator.’ After negotiations fell through with the UFC, Ngannou decided not to re-sign, leading to him being released from his contract. Most fans and analysts believe the former heavyweight champion was mistreated and underpaid, including Kennedy. He had this to say during an interview with The Schmo:
“It’s lame. This is something I’ve always struggled with the UFC, how they treat talent. When you have guys wanting to step out of the organization to go fight to make real money, we have a problem within the sport. When your heavyweight, the baddest dude on the planet, your heavyweight champion is like, hey, ‘you’re not paying me what I deserve,’ and he’s not getting paid what he deserves. There should be no question that organization should walk up to their champion and be like, what do I do to keep you here?”
Ngannou joined Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour to share his side of the story. ‘The Predator’ discussed how the UFC offered him a ton of money, but it wasn’t about the money. The 36-year-old requested all fighters receive sponsorship freedom, health insurance, and a fighter advocate at UFC brass meetings. All of the requests were denied.
.@francis_ngannou explains what he wanted, other than money, from the UFC in negotiations 📝 #TheMMAHour
The list included:
• The right to sponsorship
• Health insurance
• A fighter advocate to represent the fighters in meetings▶️ https://t.co/nl825Yai3y pic.twitter.com/5dwxY0Sx67
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) January 17, 2023
Watch Tim Kennedy discuss Francis Ngannou below:
Tim Kennedy thinks Ciryl Gane may struggle with Jon Jones stylistically
Since Francis Ngannou vacated the UFC heavyweight title, a new champion is needed. Dana White was at the UFC Vegas 67 post-fight press conference and announced Jon Jones vs Ciryl Gane will take place on March 4 for the undisputed heavyweight championship. During the same interview with The Schmo, Tim Kennedy broke down the stylistic matchup by saying:
“If Ciryl Gane is looking at this fight stylistically, he has to be planning to fight the takedown. Jon [Jones] is a hard man to stop. If you’re focusing on stopping a takedown, Jon is so creative, and he has so many tools in his repertoire, his toolbelt, with his elbows, and the front kicks, the leg attacks. There’s not a strike he can’t utilize… If that’s your plan [to focus on counter wrestling], he’s [Jones] gonna knock you out. You have to show up to want to fight, and Ciryl Gane has to show up to want to fight. Welcome to Jon Jones’ world.”
White also stated that Jones has been ready and willing to fight any opponent. ‘Bones’ was connected to rumors regarding a potential matchup against Stipe Miocic, but it didn’t materialize. Meanwhile, Gane is coming off a bounce-back win against Tai Tuivasa. On March 4, a new heavyweight king will be crowned.
Jon Jones opened as a favorite, but is currently an underdog to Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 📉
📰 https://t.co/2FKTks34mF pic.twitter.com/RVfGDc9pAi
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) January 17, 2023
