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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Harry Davies

UFC “threatened to sue” Francis Ngannou’s agent for talking to Jake Paul’s team

Francis Ngannou claims the UFC “threatened to sue” his agent Marquel Martin for talking with Jake Paul 's business partner Nakisa Bidarian.

Ngannou made the first defence of his heavyweight title last weekend when he outpointed former training partner Ciryl Gane at UFC 270.

The fight marked the last bout on Ngannou's UFC contract, with the Cameroonian now free to leave when his deal expires in December.

'The Predator' discussed his willingness to box Tyson Fury before his recent title defence, stating he would only re-sign with the UFC if he could compete in boxing.

And Ngannou said the UFC sent his agent Martin an email threatening to sue him whilst on their way to the arena for UFC 270.

Francis Ngannou defended his heavyweight title at UFC 270 (AFP via Getty Images)

"Going into the arena, I dress up I put on my suit and walk to the room waiting for my manager and my coach," he said on The MMA Hour.

"They was like 'wow', I said 'what's going on' and they told me they just received an e-mail from the UFC saying they gonna sue him from talking with this guy, Nakisa [Bidarian].

"I'm like 'who is Nakisa', I don't know him pretty much but it's somebody from Jake Paul's team and I'm like 'is it a promoter or something?'

"Once again, I don't know but it doesn't look like they [UFC] want to talk to me anymore."

Mirror Fighting has contacted the UFC for comment in relation to Ngannou's comments.

Bidarian is the UFC's former Chief Financial Officer who represents Paul and his boxing promotion, Most Valuable Promotions.

He played a role in the UFC's $4billion sale to Endeavor in 2016 and left the promotion in December of that year.

UFC president Dana White previously labelled Bidarian as a "scumbag" downplaying his role in the UFC by referring to him as "an accountant" for the promotion.

What are your thoughts on the UFC "suing" Francis Ngannou's agent? Let us know in the comments section below

And Ngannou said of Bidarian: "I don't know who the hell is this guy, first of all. I don't know him, I don't recognise him if you put him in front of me.

"Secondly, he's not a promoter. It's not like I can't have a dialogue with people about boxing, I talk about boxing all the time.

Paul has gone back and forth with White for the past year over his newfound boxing career and issues relating to UFC fighter pay.

'The Problem Child' said he will reveal "his plan" to improve fighter pay in MMA after learning the entire UFC 270 card made just £1.3million.

Ngannou made just $440,000 for his title defence at the event, over 50 times less than boxing star Fury who made £22.2million for his last bout.

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