Francis Ngannou is a Cameroonian-born mixed martial artist and former UFC heavyweight champion. He is widely regarded as one of the most fearsome punchers in the sport's history, with a knockout percentage of over 90%. In recent years, Ngannou has become a household name in the UFC, but his path to stardom has not been without its bumps in the road.
Ngannou's departure from the UFC was not a voluntary decision on his part. In fact, he remained under contract with the organization, but a contract dispute kept him from fighting for several months. According to reports, Ngannou was unhappy with the terms of his contract, which he believed did not reflect his market value as a top heavyweight contender.
Ngannou's relationship with the UFC began to sour after his failed title bid against Stipe Miocic in January 2018. Despite a dominant performance leading up to the fight, Ngannou was outclassed by Miocic in the championship rounds, ultimately losing by unanimous decision. In the aftermath of the loss, Ngannou seemed to lose his passion for the sport and took an extended break from competition.
When he returned to the Octagon, Ngannou was a man on a mission. He quickly dispatched his next four opponents in spectacular fashion, earning himself a shot at the heavyweight title once again. This time, Ngannou was pitted against Miocic's conqueror, Daniel Cormier, in a highly anticipated matchup.
However, negotiations with the UFC broke down over contract terms, and Ngannou was left without a fight for several months. During this time, he began exploring his options outside of the UFC and even contemplated a career in boxing. Ultimately, Ngannou and the UFC were able to reach a new agreement, and he returned to the Octagon in June 2019.
Since then, Ngannou has continued his dominance in the heavyweight division, earning himself another shot at the title. He defeated Miocic in a stunning knockout victory in March 2021, and he is now set to defend his title against interim champion Ciryl Gane later this year.
In conclusion, Francis Ngannou's departure from the UFC was a result of a contract dispute, rather than a voluntary decision on his part. He believed that his contract did not reflect his market value as a top heavyweight contender, and negotiations with the UFC broke down as a result. Despite the setback, Ngannou has returned to the Octagon and is now one of the most dominant champions in the UFC's history.