UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has admitted he may have to take a pay cut after rejecting a new deal from the UFC and leaving the promotion.
The hard-hitting UFC star left the UFC earlier this year, leaving behind a contract offer believed to be worth close to $7milion. And he understands he is unlikely to earn the same money from another promotion.
Ngannou has already teased working with the PFL, sharing a photo where a family member was wearing their merchandise, while other promoters across boxing and MMA have been scrambling for his signature. He has held preliminary talks with the likes of Scott Coker, Jake Paul and Eddie Hearn among other top names.
"The money is very important obviously," Ngannou explained in an interview with MMA Junkie. "But as I said, the structure, the approach, the term of the contract, what comes with it also, maybe even more important. So I will not disclose anything and some could be more than what I have turned down, some could be less.
"But I wouldn't be surprised if - I mean I get excited about a contract which is less what I [got offered]. Because honestly, I see more value in that contract which is not financially better but still have value for me as a person that I would like to carry on. I've been seeking for a value and I think that's why the UFC at one point said they would give up their right to match."
Ngannou had been paid peanuts relative to his boxing counterparts during his stint atop the UFC's heavyweight division, never coming close to cracking a seven-figure payday. The likes of Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder earn tens of millions as champions in the boxing ring, and could end up as future opponents for the MMA star.
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However, he was more keen to see structural changes implemented that would have included fighters receiving better healthcare and fairer revenue splits with the massive money promotion. "The UFC understood at that point that it wasn't going to be about money," he continued. If it was going to be about money, the UFC could beat everybody out there if they want. But it's about a change and it's always about a chance."
Ngannou's belt will be fought for this weekend when Jon Jones faces Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. However, despite the promotion insisting that the winner of Jones vs Gane will be undisputed, there will be heavy dispute over who is, in fact, the best heavyweight in the world due to neither man beating Ngannou.
