Francis Ngannou is set to demand a clause which allows him to face Tyson Fury in a boxing match as part of his fresh UFC contract talks.
The Cameroon star has been out of action since his successful defence against Cyril Gane in January, after requiring surgery to repair his torn knee ligament. However he flew over to the UK to be ringside for Fury's heavyweight victory over Dillian Whyte, where he reiterated his desire to stage a meeting.
Ngannou has admitted he would be "screwed" if he signs a new deal which is structured the same as his current one with the promotion. “The Tyson Fury fight has to be part of the discussion,” Ngannou said during an interview on The MMA Hour. “That’s not an option. It has to be part of the discussion because if that’s not part of the discussion, it will never be.
"If I sign another contract now, basically the same model of the contract, I’m screwed. That’s not happening ever. So we have to figure out a way to implement this into a contract. I think the UFC is a good promotion, and I want to keep fighting. The Tyson Fury is not my last fight.
"I want to keep fighting. After Tyson Fury there’s still a lot of fights. There’s the Jon Jones, there’s the Stipe trilogy. There’s big fights I can do in the UFC, and I would really like that to happen. I would really like us to get to a common point. Yes, I can do the Tyson Fury fight on my own, but what’s next? I would like to keep fighting. I would like for us to come to an agreement.”
Ngannou is currently in the final few months of his existing tie to the UFC and would be free to leave later this year if he opts to pursue a career in the boxing ring. Fury plans to retire after his latest exploit over Whyte, but is willing to make a 'comeback' against Ngannou next year with Las Vegas already touted as a venue.
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The UFC heavyweight champion has admitted he would not wait to be allowed to stage a meeting with Fury and would prefer face the 'Gypsy King' next upon his return. Further talks are planned with UFC president Dana White, but admits he is yet to hold further discussions after clearing the air.
“We had a dinner with the UFC, and that wasn’t about the contract situation," Ngannou continued. "That was just about clearing the air because it is clear at this point that we had to clear the air. I was speaking about my frustration, It might take some time. As far as business, we haven’t really moved on. I think just now what they’re trying to do is clear the air.”
