Former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya recently addressed a situation where the UFC production team edited a video to remove a reference he made to former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. Adesanya expressed his disappointment during the UFC 305 pre-sale press conference when a portion of his interview mentioning Ngannou was omitted from the 'UFC 305 Countdown' video.
Adesanya emphasized the significance of Ngannou's legacy in the UFC, highlighting his achievements and impact on the sport. Ngannou departed from the UFC in 2023 after contract negotiations fell through, leading him to sign with the PFL and venture into boxing. Despite his departure, Ngannou's contributions to the UFC, including winning the heavyweight title in 2021, remain a pivotal part of the organization's history.
Adesanya acknowledged the competitive landscape between promotions but stressed the importance of recognizing and honoring the history that fighters like Ngannou have created. He expressed confidence that the UFC would address the editing oversight and rectify the situation, underscoring the enduring nature of historical achievements in the sport.
This incident is not the first time the UFC has faced criticism for removing references to Ngannou. In a previous instance, a promotional video blurred out a shirt worn by Kamaru Usman that featured Ngannou's image, sparking further discussion about the handling of fighters' legacies by the organization.
As the UFC prepares for upcoming events like UFC 305 and beyond, the incident involving Adesanya and Ngannou serves as a reminder of the importance of acknowledging and respecting the contributions of fighters who have left a lasting impact on the sport.
