Khamzat Chimaev believes Francis Ngannou needs to wait for better paydays to "come" amid his dispute with the UFC.
UFC heavyweight champion Ngannou hasn't fought since defending his crown against Cyril Gane in January, having suffered torn knee ligaments prior to the victory. Alongside his injury woes, the Cameroon star has been embroiled in a contract dispute with the UFC and has been demanding an improvement on his current contract terms.
Some of Ngannou's demands on his new deal are believed to include a clause to re-negotiate terms after every fight, as well as a possible release for potential boxing opportunities alongside his UFC exploits. However UFC star Chimaev has dismissed the fighter pay issue within the promotion and believes fighters should look at where they were 20 years prior to beginning their career.
“A lot of guys talk about how the UFC doesn’t give us a lot of money and other things,” Chimaev said during an interview with ESPN when discussing Ngannou's dispute with the promotion over fighter pay. “They don’t go back and remember where they were 20 years ago. I was almost homeless, a lot of guys.
"The big guy, Ngannou, talks about how they don’t give him enough money. You have to appreciate everything that’s happened with you. Just fight, fight, and the money will come.”
Ngannou appears to remain on good terms with the promotion despite the dispute, but is yet to secure his next fight despite plans for the champion to return in 2023. UFC kingpin Dana White has suggested that talks are travelling in a good direction, and he hopes that the heavyweight star will be able to defend his belt against Jon Jones next year.
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A fight with Jones would likely be the most lucrative option for Ngannou, providing a new deal can be reached and he is able to return to full training in the new year. The Cameroon star remains keen on several fights in the boxing ring which could include a bout with Tyson Fury.
With a potential clause to re-negotiate his deal after every fight being discussed, UFC legend Chael Sonnen believes Ngannou's demands have been disrespectful to the promotion and the rest of its roster. "He believes that that's reasonable," Sonnen said on his YouTube channel. "And the reason I tell you it's disrespectful. If I'm the business guy and I'm taking all the risk but I'm guaranteeing it not matter how bad it hurts - those numbers right now - on time every time, I'll figure it out.
"There's an appreciation that must be shown. I don't know what's going to come in, that's a risk every time, but I can know what's going out. And you want to talk? You want to slow me down? Should we do lunch? I have 556 of you and I do this every Saturday. And that's where I tell you the lack of respect comes."
