Fans have begun to turn on former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou for turning down a $20million offer from ONE Championship.
Ngannou, 36, split with the UFC in January after failing to come to an agreement with the promotion over a new contract. 'The Predator' was expected to defend his heavyweight title against Jon Jones but he turned down the fight to vacate his belt and pursue other options.
ONE boss Chatri Sityodtong held talks with Ngannou this past weekend but the two parties failed to reach an agreement over a deal. Sityodtong has now claimed that Ngannou wanted to be on the board of directors for the promotion and even turned down a huge $20m offer.
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"He was asking for a seat at the board of directors, he was asking for him to determine his opponent's pay," Sityodtong told Daily Star. "We offered him £16million ($20million) guaranteed, the money wasn't enough, he wanted all of these other non-financial terms that didn't make a lot of sense. We obviously can't give a seat at the board of directors, that doesn't make any sense, he would be a fish out of water."
Ngannou has since indirectly responded to Sityodtong by tweeting a picture of Marvel character Two Face with the caption: "Some promoters man." YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul also came to the defence of Ngannou after the failed negotiations, tweeting: "Funny how promoters always try to devalue fighters for their own benefit / narrative. Francis is the best heavyweight MMA fighter in the world and he deserves to be treated as such."
Some fans have suggested that Ngannou has himself to blame after discussions with the likes of ONE and BKFC have collapsed. One user wrote: "How many promotions have to pass on you before you realise you’re the common denominator?" with another adding: "It's time to look in the mirror." A third comment read: "I think Francis will regret how he has handled these negotiations."
UFC president Dana White has insisted he will never work with Ngannou again, insisting the Cameroonian was "impossible" to negotiate with. The former heavyweight champion - who was offered $8million to defend his belt against Jones - has been advised by some fans to apologise to White in a bid to return to the UFC, with one user commenting: "Just say sorry to Dana man. We want to see you fight again.
