Francis Ngannou has left the UFC and is no longer its heavyweight champion
Former heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou’s departure from the UFC could present an opportunity to Russian fight league Hardcore Boxing, who have reportedly made a multi-million-dollar offer to secure the Cameroonian powerhouse’s services.
Ngannou, perhaps the most feared knockout artist in the history of the UFC, is officially a free agent following the expiration of his contract, with UFC boss Dana White telling the media in Las Vegas this past weekend that he turned down the biggest heavyweight contract the organization has ever offered to instead test his value on the open market.
It was thought that Ngannou had requested a provision in any new contract to permit him to take on challenges in the boxing ring – a factor that UFC brass were apparently unwilling to allow, even after he was linked last year to a high-profile bout opposite boxing heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.
But if Ngannou is looking for an attractive payday in the boxing ring, he need look no further than Russian fight league Hardcore Boxing, according to its chief Anatoly Sulyanov.
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“We have good news today – Francis Ngannou has finally left the UFC,” Sulyanov announced online, via translation.
“So, Francis, I have an offer for you – three million dollars for one fight in Hardcore Boxing on March 18 in Dubai against my heavyweight champion Soslan Asbarov.