All articles tagged with #francis ngannou
Dana White said the McGregor vs Holloway rematch announcement had nothing to do with Francis Ngannou or MVP, noting he revealed it during his own event and that he doesn’t care what rival promotions are doing.
Dana White rejected claims that McGregor’s return was timed to overshadow Francis Ngannou, saying the announcement went out as soon as it was ready and wasn’t a deliberate counter-program to MVP MMA.
Ronda Rousey submitted Gina Carano in 17 seconds via armbar to headline MVP MMA’s Netflix-backed debut, which also featured Mike Perry’s dominating win over Nate Diaz and Francis Ngannou’s power finish. The event drew mixed reviews for pacing, production, and star power, with debates about viewership numbers and whether MVP can sustain momentum. Some praise focused on standout performances (like Salahdine Parnasse), while others warned the venture needs a clearer lineup, a refreshed broadcast team, and strong follow-up cards to avoid fizzing out after a high-profile hype cycle. If Netflix backs it and MVP builds real stars, there may be a future; otherwise, it risks being a one-off.
Jake Paul slammed UFC for announcing Conor McGregor’s return during Francis Ngannou’s MVP MMA walkout, accusing the promotion of trying to steal the spotlight from the Netflix event. The piece highlights Dana White’s media strategy, includes Ronda Rousey’s take on the move, and notes McGregor’s July 11 bout with Max Holloway at UFC 329, while Ngannou heads into his MVP MMA fight.
Jon Jones attended MVP MMA on Netflix and used the broadcast to reiterate his frustration with UFC contract constraints, telling Jake Paul he wants to leave to pursue a fight with Francis Ngannou. Paul later disclosed a private backstage conversation in which Jones expressed being upset about not being a free agent, underscoring ongoing tensions over fighters’ autonomy and potential future crossovers.
Jon Jones says he would like to fight Francis Ngannou but would need to exit his UFC contract (potentially via MVP MMA); he now believes he’s likely fought his last bout and has 'no reason to fight anymore,' and noted Dana White isn’t inclined to do business with Ngannou, making the matchup unlikely unless a non-UFC route is possible. He also praised Ngannou’s win while acknowledging the heavyweight ruler’s size advantage in the latest bout.
Francis Ngannou knocked out Philipe Lins at Netflix’s first MMA event and surprised everyone by donating his $100,000 Performance of the Night bonus to Lins, praising him as underestimated. The California commission noted Ngannou earned at least $1.5 million from the card, with potential for more, as Netflix’s MMA venture looks to continue fueling high‑paying bouts.
Francis Ngannou returned after a two-year layoff and blasted Philipe Lins with a first‑round KO on Netflix, fending off early takedown attempts and delivering a decisive finish as Dana White’s tease of Conor McGregor’s return went largely ignored.
Francis Ngannou is returning to MMA on Jake Paul’s MVP Promotions Netflix card, co-headlining the May 16 Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano event against Philipe Lins in a five-round bout at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. The former UFC heavyweight recently parted with PFL, after a stint in boxing against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, and this matchup marks his first cage appearance since leaving PFL.
Professional Fighters League has released former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, ending his multi-sport run with the league after a stint that included high-profile boxing bouts and MMA appearances under a flexible contract.
Ngannou was left out of the PFL's new heavyweight rankings, fueling questions about his future with the promotion. PFL CEO John Martin says the omission wasn’t deliberate and may reflect Ngannou’s inactivity and contract terms, as the fighter has said one fight remains on his deal. He has floated a possible June UFC White House appearance, but there’s been no return announcement, and the PFL is still weighing options for a meaningful matchup.
Jake Paul fought Anthony Joshua and was stopped in the sixth round, admitting his mistakes and learning from the experience. Despite the loss, he claims to have performed better than Francis Ngannou, who previously lost to Joshua, and is now interested in fighting Ngannou next.
Former UFC champion Daniel Cormier warns Jake Paul that fighting Francis Ngannou would be dangerous, as Ngannou has the power to knock him out, and advises Paul to stay away from him amid ongoing fight replacement negotiations.
Chael Sonnen believes Francis Ngannou 'lost' by rejecting a fight with Jake Paul, highlighting the social media exchange and shifting relationships between the fighters, with Ngannou previously supporting Paul but now criticizing him after his Netflix fight with Mike Tyson.
Michael Bisping dismisses rumors of Jake Paul fighting Francis Ngannou, calling them unlikely and calling out the inconsistency in Paul's recent fight choices, while acknowledging the potential promotional benefits if such a fight were to happen.