Michael Bisping thinks Francis Ngannou is being misguided during his free agency.
Former heavyweight champion Ngannou opted not to re-sign with the UFC, reportedly after he turned down an offer that would have made him the highest-paid heavyweight in company history.
Dana White since has said Ngannou will never fight in the UFC again, and “The Predator” has yet to find a new home. A few organizations revealed they’ve been in discussions with Ngannou, but Bisping questions his recent choices.
“The PFL, they’re on the table – they’re talking about it,” Bisping said on his YouTube channel. “But honestly, I don’t think PFL have the kind of money that Francis is asking for. For boxing, he wants $25 million. Reportedly with the UFC he would have been getting a minimum of $6 million dollars per fight, and it was a three-fight contract. He could have had the three fights by now, bagged at least $18 million and be a free agent and go off elsewhere. So I’m not criticizing Francis Ngannou. I’m just wondering who’s advising him.”
Ngannou hasn’t competed since he retained the title against Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 in January 2022. He underwent knee surgery after the fight for a pre-existing injury, but appears ready to compete. While there could be more money for Ngannou elsewhere, Bisping says he needs to actually fight to make it.
“I like Francis. I’m a fan of his for sure,” Bisping said. “I love what he brings to the table, and I like him as a human being. My interactions with Francis Ngannou have been very, very positive. He’s a lovely guy. He’s a very gentle man. But inside the octagon, he’s a maniac. He’s a monster of the highest degree. So I love that and I want to see him get paid and I want to see him make the most of it.
“But the problem is when you have people around you advising you, managers getting into your ear and all different types of managers – entertainment managers, fight managers, guys bringing you endorsement deals and all the rest of it – they’re all talk, talk, talk. They’re all getting in your ear. They’re all saying you should be getting paid more money. But ultimately, if you’re not fighting, you’re not earning money.”