Everyone who has followed the Ultimate Fighting Championship into the new year of 2023 is aware of the most recent controversy it is facing. The most successful MMA league recently lost its Heavyweight champion of the world. This champion was the very talented Francis Ngannou. The fighter has an official world record for the deadliest punch on the planet. The incident leads us to the question that: how could Dana White let such an incredible fighter go away? Since his release, Ngannou has been featured in several interviews and their highlight was his controversial release. Everywhere, ‘The Predator’ has recited the same reason, which was that his basic fighter needs were not being fulfilled by the UFC.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Apart from the reason listed by the ex-Heavyweight champion himself, people have plenty of theories among themselves. While some of these theories are mere stories and hold only a fractional amount of truth, some get too official. For example, the UFC legend Randy Couture once faced a very similar situation in his UFC career. Considering the similarities, Couture offered a personal critique of the issue while supporting the Cameroonian fighter.
Francis Ngannou is supported by everyone
In a recent interview video with ‘MMA Fighting’, Randy Couture opened up about several thoughts. The now-Hollywood actor answered all the questions wisely and left fans satisfied with them. However, when the topic of Ngannou leaving the UFC came up, things got personal for the UFC legend. The former UFC fighter confirmed the reason for Ngannou’s release, “the money they threw at Francis was pretty significant and probably as much as anybody’s gotten paid in our sport but it was the other things — health insurance, a fighter’s representative, some of those things that he asked for that were outside of that, that caused them to drop him.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“They don’t want to give up that power. They don’t want to give up those things. They want to be able to control the fighters the way they want to control them. They don’t like that transparency. They keep those numbers pretty close to their vest so they don’t have to negotiate with fighters who know what their value is in the marketplace.” The retired Heavyweight champion shared his view of the promotion. According to him, the promotion’s management always plays a game with the fighters who wish to leave. It appears their trick has now become public.
Why does Couture support Ngannou?
‘The Predator’ has received endless support in the past few days. However, the number one reason why Ngannou is receiving such vast support from the ex-UFC fighter is because of the similarity in the situation. In 2007, Couture legally fought his way out of the UFC. Ever since his retirement, the UFC legend has considered it his duty to speak up against the oppressive and restrictive rules set up by the UFC.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Watch this story:- Jon Jones UFC deal compared to Francis Ngannou and Brock Lesner
How much freedom do you think the fighters should be granted in their UFC contract?