Photo credit to Francis Ngannou's Tapology page.
Francis Ngannou Frustrated With Heavyweight Class
Francis Ngannou is frustrated by his current placement in the UFC ranks. It looks like The Predator is chomping at the bit for a chance to prove that he is in fact the Apex Predator. Though Ngannou is ranked #2 per UFC’s official rankings, he is still on the outside looking in. As negotiations take place for a fight that still hasn’t been locked down between the number one contender and the reigning champ. In an interview with MMA Junkie’s Farah Hannoun, Francis Ngannou indicated as much. He was responding to a question about a rubber match between Cormier and Miocic for the title.
“I don’t know what do I feel about them anymore since I don’t even know if they’re gonna fight. You know, as I said, it’s gonna be one year soon. We don’t know anything about it. I mean, at some point we just want to know what is going on in the division. Oh, but you know. It’s kind of like a part of my frustration now. Like after this fight. Let’s say I go there, I beat this guy. What next? Are gonna sit there wait for them, or what next? I mean, it’s very blind. It’s a very blind spot right now the title in the heavyweight division. And I would like the UFC to put light and to bring some clarification about it.”
Francis Ngannou, Stipe Miocic, and Daniel Cormier
There are still a few variables for this DC vs Stipe III. Though it seems to be the next targeted title bout, there are still question marks about Miocic’s return timeline and all the logistical ramifications of dealing with COVID-19. Ngannou has expressed frustration at the lack of contendership clarity in his division but perhaps nebulous title hierarchies are commonplace in the UFC nowadays.
