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Easy winner in his last three fights, Francis Ngannou would like to have another chance to win the heavyweight champion belt of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the most prestigious mixed martial arts league (MMA). But the UFC does not seem in a hurry to organize a new duel between the defending champion, the American Stipe Miocic, and the Cameroonian.
Francis Ngannou celebrated his 33 years on September 5th. But the Cameroonian still has not had the right to the gift he can legitimately expect from the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). The powerful Mixed Martial Arts ( MMA ) league remains deaf to heavyweight calls.
For seven months, the native of Batie (West Cameroon) asked for a second chance to try to win the world champion belt, having failed in January 2018 against the American Stipe Miocic .
Successful results but unnecessary lobbying
He has easily won his last three fights, and this from the first round each time. After having pulverized the Americans Curtis Blaydes (in 45 seconds) and Cain Velasquez (26 seconds), Francis Ngannou accepted a confrontation against Junior Dos Santos even if he would have preferred a "title shot" directly. Result? The Brazilian held 71 seconds, in June 2019 ...
A few minutes after this new demonstration, Francis Ngannou directly challenged the boss of the UFC, since the octagon - the era of fighting in MMA - in which the Cameroonian was still. Dana White seemed destabilized by this unconventional approach. Especially since White does not seem to hold in high esteem the one nicknamed "The Predator".
In July 2018, he had turned on Francis Ngannou just after his second loss to the UFC following a non-game against Derrick Lewis. " What I can tell you is that his ego has passed him , had let go of the leader. In combat sports, as soon as you switch in there, you start your fall. I had several interviews with him, like other people from home, and the guy's ego was out of control . "
Not enough " bankable "?
Since then, Francis Ngannou has digested his failure against Miocic and his pitiful performance against Lewis. He also tried to take a step back from his meteoric rise in the world of MMA, he who knew nothing about this discipline there is still six years. The former homeless man , who slept in the streets of Paris, resumed his march forward. He is now in 3rd place in the UFC heavyweight hierarchy behind Miocic and Daniel Cormier .
Miocic has just taken back the belt to Cormier , having lost against the latter in July 2018. The sporting logic would therefore like Francis Ngannou is the new challenger. But the UFC may have other more lucrative ideas, such as a third act between Miocic and Cormier. Or the arrival of light heavyweight champion Jon Jones in the heavyweight category.
Because it is probably the handicap of Francis Ngannou. The Cameroonian, despite the spectacular KO inflicted on his opponents, is not the one who sells the most tickets or pay per view.
Cinema while waiting to be on the bill
The Ultimate Fighting Championship therefore plays the clock, despite the eagerness of Francis Ngannou. " I hope to be back in the octagon before the end of the year. UFC to make it happen, "launched the star on Twitter.
Meanwhile, the former amateur boxer multiplies extra-sport activities, between advertising for a brand of tires and appearance in the 9th part of the film saga Fast & Furious . And he takes his patience, though it's sometimes difficult for him, as he told ESPN: " I do not know exactly what's going on with the UFC leaders. I do not know what their state of mind is. They are not very clear about whether I deserve a fight for the title or whether I still have to fight or not. I do not understand why it's not clear to them. It is a very frustrating situation. "