Despite Francis Ngannou’s Walkout From the UFC, Stipe Miocic Believes “It’s Going to Be a Long Time” Before the Promotion Goes Into the ‘Right Direction’

The decision of Francis Ngannou to leave the biggest MMA promotion, the UFC, took the entire community into splits. UFC fighters like Sean O’Malley said Ngannou should stay in the UFC because it is where money and fame lie. On the other hand, some praised Ngannou’s decision to be a free agent. They felt it was like liberating themselves from the clutches of the organization. The UFC and ‘The Predator’ had been having negotiations for more than two years regarding the demands kept forward by Ngannou. What people believed was that his main demands included more payment, the freedom to take fights outside the UFC, and the contracts between the two parties. However, later it was understood that Ngannou, unlike many UFC fighters, kept forward some very important demands which would help the whole set of UFC fighters.

Francis Ngannou tried to take UFC in the right direction

The predator had some demands, which, according to Stipe Miocic, would take a long time for the UFC to consider. As reported by ‘BloodyElbow’, Miocic said, “I get it. I mean, it’s going to be a long time before any of that happens. Ngannou was trying to move the sport in the right direction, which is great, but it’s going to be a long time before any of that happens.” The Predator and Miocic came face-to-face at UFC 260, where Ngannou emerged victorious in the second round by knocking out his opponent. Being a fellow fighter, Miocic admits that he totally understands the importance of the demands that Ngannou is putting forward. Nevertheless, according to him, the promotion needs to evolve a lot more to consider them.

Ngannou wanted the UFC to include the health of the fighters in their priority list. Along with this, he strongly believed that the fighters should have some written rights inside the organization. To make this possible, Ngannou asked the UFC to provide a healthcare plan for the athletes. Additionally, he wanted the promotion to permit a fighter advocate to attend company board meetings. Some of the retired fighters have openly admitted that UFC takes strict measures to make sure the UFC fighters won’t fight outside UFC. ‘Endeavor’, the parent corporation of the largest MMA organization, joined in this by enacting Improved Sponsorship Rights in 2014. The athletes are unable to pursue outside sponsorship as a result. Along with the removal of sponsor banners from corners, Reebok uniforms were introduced.

The negotiation on the health care plan

On ‘The MMA Hour’, the Cameroonian fighter made his intentions clear. He gave some brief details of his negotiations with the UFC president, Dana White. When he demanded a health care plan for fighters, the UFC asked if Ngannou could not afford it now. He agreed that being a successful MMA fighter, he can, but what about the fighters at the bottom who just earn $10,000 per fight?

READ MORE: “He Will Not Survive in a Boxing Ring” – Former Champion Issues a Stern Warning to Free Agent Francis Ngannou’s Boxing Aspirations

During the conversation, Ngannou confessed he had gone through a similar situation. He was not able to afford health insurance. He said how he feels bad for the fighters who currently go through the same. ‘The Predator’ admitted that he expected the UFC to deny his demands, but he still wanted to give it a try.

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