LAS VEGAS – Francis Ngannou isn’t playing his cards correctly, according to former UFC and Bellator fighter Chael Sonnen.
Initially, Sonnen indicated, he gave now-free agent Ngannou the benefit of the doubt upon exit of the UFC in pursuit of other, perhaps more lucrative ventures. But upon further examination and the every-second tick of the clock, Sonnen said, he thinks Ngannou needs to have an epiphany soon.
“Francis did a show yesterday with a gentleman, who is kind of a business show (host),” Sonnen told MMA Junkie Radio after he hosted a BKFC 41 news conference Tuesday at Palms Resort Casino. “The guy was breaking it down and he was asking Francis some very basic questions about the business of MMA. Francis, he looked like a deer in the headlights. He didn’t have the foggiest idea how to respond. I thought maybe he was past that, he had been around, he looked around, and kind of saw where some of the numbers came from, he saw what made sense. I think now that maybe he was still of the mindset of, ‘I knocked out three guys in a row and therefore,’ as if that just created money from the MMA money tree.”
It is unclear exactly what interview Sonnen referenced.
Sonnen, who is known to expertly blends the line between astute analyst and pro wrestling inspired character, reiterated numerous times as he spoke about Ngannou that his comments should not be interpreted as insults. In the end, Sonnen said he wants to see cooler heads prevail – and Ngannou call UFC president Dana White back.
“There are not a lot of (opponent options),” Sonnen said. “If we’re playing chess here, I don’t have two or three steps for Francis. I don’t know how old Francis is. He says he’s 36. He’s at least 36. I don’t know how old he is. I’m not sure he knows how old he is. I don’t bring that up to try to be funny. His body has already given out on him. He’s already telling somebody, ‘I’m on the free market. Bid a whole bunch of money for me. By the way, I’ve got a bad knee.’ Nobody in the world… no coach looks at a guy who is hurt and old and pays him a bigger check. It’s a really weird situation. I want him to get it figured out. I don’t say it to tease him. Time is ticking. Everyday he’s not signed, he’s losing.
“Let me put this in perspective for you. This is a very big deal. Three days ago was April 1 and they put out an April 1 joke. Tyson Fury put out an April 1 joke on social media that he and Francis was done and they are fighting in Wembley on May 15. Tyson Fury made a joke. Francis has changed his whole life. His whole life is different because he thought he was going to make up a sport and do it with a guy who is now using it as an April Fool’s joke. What ever has happened here? He’s got to get some cold water. He has to wake up and he needs to call back his boss.”
Ngannou, 36, remains a free agent as he fields potential offers from combat sports promotions. News of his UFC departure officially broke in January, as he stepped away as the promotion’s heavyweight champion. Ngannou later said he departed the UFC for a number of reasons, one of which to take a stand on fighter pay and treatment.
Since they parted ways, Ngannou and UFC president Dana White have both shut down any possible business reunion in the future.
While many potential suitors including Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder, Scott Coker, Donn Davis, and David Feldman have expressed interest in doing business, nothing has publicly surfaced as a materializing venture.
