Francis Ngannou won the UFC Heavyweight title this past March with a KO over Stipe Miocic. The 35-year-old claimed his first major title and the company was able to tell a story of a man that overcame much adversity to make it all the way to the top of the MMA world.
Ngannou was celebrated for the win and was able to take advantage of it by selling an NFT of his victory for over $580,000.
However, that narrative soon gave way to a need for the champion to get back into the Octagon sooner than he wanted. As a result, the UFC flexed its promotional muscle but setting up an ‘interim’ Heavyweight title between Derrick Lewis and Ciryl Gane. The fellow French men ended victorious which sets up a showdown between Ngannou and Gane which is set to take place on January 22nd.
Ngannou’s agent, a former UFC employee, explains the contract impasse
“It’s not ALL about the money.”
— MMA on SiriusXM (@MMAonSiriusXM) December 28, 2021
Francis Ngannou’s agent @Marquel_Martin joins @ReneePaquette & @MieshaTate to discuss the HW champion’s wants amid contract negotiations with the UFC.FULL Interview on the Throwing Down Podcast!https://t.co/JNCBiYvXqL pic.twitter.com/PJ0BzDkmWt
Ngannou’s plight left him without any leverage and at a time when other champion’s have been allowed to take time off, Ngannou was not extended the same by the UFC.
Ngannou recently explained that he has not signed a new UFC deal seeking compensation he feels like he deserves and amount security in a new deal. He’s stated that he’s had to borrow money for training camps and does not want to do that anymore. He has intimated that if he does leave the UFC that he would go into boxing.
The situation brings up the issue with Independent Contractors and the UFC. In an interview with The Sun Ngannou stated, “ According what is said [in UFC contract], I’m an Independent Contractor. So what I want, I want a contract with a possible [termination] date, so after that, I’ll do whatever I want.” As most who follow the UFC and its antitrust lawsuit with former fighters, this issue is not true as the contracts provide exclusivity. Attempting to do something else outside of the contract may trigger a breach.
The other issue is the Champion’s Clause which kicks in for athletes that win a championship in the UFC. In general, the clause automatically extends the length of a contract if an athlete remains champion. This prevents the fighter from fighting out the terms of their contract while still remaining the promotion’s champion. There are reasons for the clause and it has not been successfully challenged in court. But, if Ngannou wins next month, that very issue may get challenged if he does not sign a deal prior to his showdown with Gane.
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