Francis Ngannou's former trainer Fernand Lopez has admitted regret over the breakdown of his relationship with the UFC champion ahead of their reunion at UFC 270.
The Cameroon star will take on French star Cyril Gane who is trained by Ngannou's former coach Lopez at the 'MMA Factory' gym in Paris.
Lopez guided Ngannou through his early rise in the UFC before the pair split and have publicly feuded ever since the announcement of the title clash.
However he has admitted that he previously told the champion to "get out" of the gym three times during the final stages of their partnership.
“Absolutely, I do regret where things are between us [Ngannou]," Lopez said. "The truth is, I regret the situation between me and Francis.
"I have a bunch of other students that I have fallen out with in the past and we’re still friends and still call each other. But because of what’s said in some media, I don’t like this, makes me look bitter - makes me look like someone who will not let Ngannou go.
"Only sometimes he would have inspiration and speak for like two hours telling me his way to Paris from Cameroon. He was so passionate about the journey, but he’s a guy you don’t miss. But again, I do regret the relationship now.
“I told him to get out of my gym three times. The mindset that he had was not the mindset of my gym. I didn’t want him at my gym anymore. But that’s not to say there wasn’t anything great in our relationship.
"We had very good times and that’s it. But it was good to have him out of my space because of the toxicity of the relationship.”
Lopez split with Ngannou on bad terms and claimed he would rather train Gane for free than train Ngannou for $100,000.
Ngannou snubbed a handshake with Gane backstage at UFC 267 which raised the Frenchman's suspicion of the feud continuing.
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The 35-year-old's previous gym then released training footage from a session with Gane which he blamed on Lopez and branded the former coach "evil" ahead of their potential clash.
Any fight could be the champion's last with the promotion if he is unable to agree a new deal which involves a clause that will allow him to enter the boxing ring.
Lopez has admitted he plans to use his knowledge of Ngannou's style to help Gane including his "lower back" pain.
“I know him and he knows me, we know each other well," Lopez continued.
"I spent many nights with him in the same room, I spent much time with him on flights, I spent a long time with him in the gym, I know his pain, his medical background, I know what wears him down, I know his back problems - I know he’s hurt in the lower back.
“There’s nothing else Francis can do but put Ciryl under pressure. Francis will need to be calm, but he cannot be calm and when he puts the pressure on, it will leave gaps in his game."
The quotes in this article first appeared on the Betway Insider blog
