Francis Ngannou agrees with Jairzinho Rozenstruik: UFC 249 fight should be for interim title

Just like Jairzinho Rozenstruik, Francis Ngannou also thinks their fight at UFC 249 should be for the interim heavyweight title.

Ngannou (14-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) is set to face Rozenstruik on May 9 and continues to vent his frustration on the lack of movement in the heavyweight title picture.

Champion Stipe Miocic hasn’t competed since taking out Daniel Cormier last August, which automatically set up a trilogy fight between the pair. But they are yet to be scheduled for a fight and, just like Rozenstruik recently stated, Ngannou thinks it’s about time the division moved on by making their fight an interim title bout.

“Regarding the situation, yes, this is what it should be and also, me and my manager, we suggested that to the UFC but they don’t sound interested about it,” Ngannou told MMA Junkie. “But if you look at the fact – in August, it’s gonna be one year since the last time they fight for the title in the heavyweight division.

“So far, we don’t know when’s gonna be the next fight for the title in the heavyweight division so, at some point, we have to move on. What’s gonna be next? Let’s say this fight happens on May 9, then what next? I mean what’s up for the heavyweight division? They have to put something down, basically the interim title.”

Former UFC heavyweight title challenger Ngannou has knocked out his last three opponents in the first round and has been eager to get another shot at the gold. He will need to go through undefeated Rozenstruik first, but “The Predator” worries that, even if he does get the win, he’ll likely face another lengthy wait, and that’s why he thinks his fight at UFC 249 should be for the interim title.

“At some point we just wanna know what’s going on in the division, but it’s kinda part of my frustration now,” he said. “After this fight, let’s say I go there (and) beat this guy – what next? I’m gonna sit there and wait for them or what’s next. 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.”

With two heavyweight powerhouses set to collide in their bout, Ngannou expects one of them to go down, and he promises that it won’t be him.

“This fight won’t last to the end, and my prediction is me knocking him out,” Ngannou said. “I’ve heard him say he’s gonna knock me out. This fight is definitely gonna end by knockout, but not the way he thinks.”