Taken from JRE MMA Show #146 w/Francis Ngannou:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7rlqqMHZLSsZewJFhlelXd?si=6c038215798d4b90

I wasn't even the 1 talking to people and you know at that time I just wanted to let this weight drop out of my shoulder.

There was so much pressure into that process.

And I was in Cameroon, I'm like, man, just live your life, you know, whatever is yours out there will come to you.

But I get the first person that reached out was Pete Mary from PFL.

And then I was just like, yes, let's hear him out.

And he came out, we speak, he asked like what I'm looking for on staff.

A couple of days later, he made a proposal.

I didn't even ask for anything, but when he made a proposal, I looked at the structure of that proposal.

Everything was being taken into consideration.

Obviously, there is always going to be a way to negotiate in a contract, but the way that they structured it, I was already happy.

I'm like, I think this guy is trying to make me happy.

the PFL doesn't really have the big stars.

Yeah So but we keep that contra and at that time I'm like, let's wait I'm not rushing to anything take some times and everything and then

Even chat tree, reach out, we talk, same thing.

And then a couple days, they send their own contract.

But when I was putting that contract next to the PFL 1, it was day and night.

And the PFL put a clause in to allow you to box?

Would the PFL be involved in the boxing promotion?

But if they can help in some way or be involved in some way Again, it's up to me, right?

So very independent contract so But I was more looking about like boxing.

That's the first time that I have to, I started to have dialogue about boxing and stuff.

And I know there was some conversations with you fighting.

There was Deontay Wilder they talked about.

We definitely, we had a conversation with Deontay Wilder, Tim, even with him.

I personally like was in the meeting with him, conference with him, that we were talking about a potential to fight there.

And I think even to this day, we are kind of like open about it.

It's just along the way, he has the potential opportunity right away that they say, okay, we would like to pursue the conversation about what we have here.

I was like, OK, then let's explore, maybe after.

And then, right after that, I started a conversation with the, for the Fury Fight.

Yeah, because I get a call, I was driving to, Yeah, I was driving to the airport and I get a call to meet in New York for some conversation about the Fury fight.

And then when I get in New York, next week, we scheduled that on next week, I get in New York, we get to the room, I meet the people, he was the right people.

We spoke, I hear them out, and I'm like, I knew them, right?

I think with these people behind this fight is going to happen.

That's where I now put them in contact with my team to negotiate because they wanted me to do everything.

I talk about how I would like things to go.

But I don't like to negotiate personally.

I'd rather have somebody do that on my behalf

Right somebody do that on your behalf and you want to respond to a good deal.

Yeah, okay I want somebody It's always good to have somebody in the mirror that would take the temper of both parties.

Because a deal can fall off just because somebody is mad and his ego takes over and the deal is off.

But when there's somebody in between, and you always come to like, okay, it's not him.

Because sometime with my team, there was frustrated and I'm like, oh no, this not working.

And then they will come to you, then you will talk nice, you know, be a nice cop, have no problem.

I'm like, no, but my team is saying this because they didn't mean to offend you, you know.

Yeah, but over the time, you learn, you understand how it works, and it's pretty easy.

So, you're in the driver's seat now because you've left the UFC you have all these opportunities on the table possibly Deontay Wilder then it becomes Tyson Fury so when do you know that that fight is actually going to take place because I know there was a lot...

So for all those months from December to June, you're essentially just trying to find where you're going to land.

I agree the deal with the PFL, I think it was in March, but I made the request, I said, let's just figure out what would be my next boxing fight before we signed a deal.

So you haven't signed the deal with the PFA?

Is it possible that you go and fight Tyson Fury and then the UFC comes back to you and says, listen, Let's make this right and let's fight John Jones.

It's possible but they have to go to the PFL

Oh, because the PFL have a contract signed?

So the PFL would let you fight in the UFC but what happens if you beat Jon Jones you become the UFC heavyweight champion again?

Maybe he'll be a special fight, a special bird or something.

win the title and then go fight in the PFL.

But, you know, to be honest, I don't worry about the title.

I worry about that fight, that challenge.

And I wouldn't care if it was a fight without a title.

You know, so in my, I don't need a UFC title.

So deep inside me, I still have a little bit of hope even though though I know He's gonna be hard but you never know

Boy, that would be a big gamble for them because if you win then you're the champ, but you're signed with the PFL.

OK, so June, you get the Tyson Fury bout negotiated.

Again, you don't work in a room for a contract to get everything that you want.

And at that moment I was just so happy, happy to get that fight happen because from that fight, a lot of things would be open.

That fight would open a lot of door, you know, sometime, even in the negotiation, sometime you have to see long term, like what it comes with.

I think it should have been a focus, right?

After this fight, imagine, hypothetically, I go out there and knock Tyson Fury out.

What do you think will happen for me now?

If you knock Tyson Fury out, You're the biggest combat sports star in the world.

Well, if you knock Tyson Fury out the real money's in a rematch exactly that's the real money that's they giving you crazy money

Are they giving you crazy money for the Tyson Fury fight?

Yeah, they're giving me a good money and very great condition.

I like a lot of component, and again, I like a lot of component of this contract, who was like, the thing, the treatment that they were giving me, their access, how easy they make stuff for me.

It's gonna be the first time that my family gonna attend to my fight, and I don't even have to think about that.

They're gonna figure out how to bring my mom, my sister, my brother out to Saudi to watch that fight.

So they're going to take care of everything.

that's something that for me was very, very important.

I think I could have had more money, but it wouldn't make me more happier than stuff like that.

You kind of work with people that you feel like, okay, they are trying their best, their very best to make you feel comfortable, feel happy.

It's not like 1 shot, OK, take everything that I can take and go.

And then when you feel like, yes, you invest into that relationship.

10 rounds and they've created a new belt.

And you're happy with the money, you're happy with the conditions, you're happy with everything.

So then in June is when you go hardcore boxing training.

Like when did you start like hardcore boxing training?

I was training boxing already no No, like I was in a camp, but

you're recovering from your knee surgery.

I don't have to worry about, like, kick, wrestling.

Yeah, there's a company in Austin Ways to Well Ways

to Well, yes, I get in contact with them I even do get them do my exam And I think Eric Nixick put me in contact with them.

About the same, sir, if we have the time.

It's very important to take care of To meant to maintain the vehicle.


Speaker 0: The Jerogan Experience

Speaker 1: I wasn't even the 1 talking to people and you know at that time I just wanted to let this weight drop out of my shoulder. For some reason I feel relief. I feel relief. There was so much pressure into that process. And I was in Cameroon, I'm like, man, just live your life, you know, whatever is yours out there will come to you.

But I get the first person that reached out was Pete Mary from PFL. And then I was just like, yes, let's hear him out. And he came out, we speak, he asked like what I'm looking for on staff. We speak and I'm like, ah, looks good. A couple of days later, he made a proposal.

I didn't even ask for anything, but when he made a proposal, I looked at the structure of that proposal. I'm like, this is good. Everything was being taken into consideration. Obviously, there is always going to be a way to negotiate in a contract, but the way that they structured it, I was already happy. I'm like, I think this guy is trying to make me happy.

Speaker 0: Yeah, Well, they need someone like you.

Speaker 1: Yeah,

Speaker 0: the PFL doesn't really have the big stars.

Speaker 1: Yeah So but we keep that contra and at that time I'm like, let's wait I'm not rushing to anything take some times and everything and then

Speaker 0: so you didn't sign that yet?

Speaker 1: No, I didn't sign. We also get to a chat tree. Even chat tree, reach out, we talk, same thing. And then a couple days, they send their own contract. But when I was putting that contract next to the PFL 1, it was day and night.

Speaker 0: The PFL was much better? Yeah. Okay. And the PFL put a clause in to allow you to box?

Speaker 1: Yeah. No, boxing was first for me.

Speaker 0: Would the PFL be involved in the boxing promotion?

Speaker 1: That was up to me. That was up to me. But they didn't really want to. It's not their expertise. But if they can help in some way or be involved in some way Again, it's up to me, right?

So very independent contract so But I was more looking about like boxing. That's the first time that I have to, I started to have dialogue about boxing and stuff. You know, trying to get

Speaker 0: through it. And I know there was some conversations with you fighting. There was Deontay Wilder they talked about. I think they talked about Dillian White.

Speaker 1: Who was that? He was Deontay Wilder. We definitely, we had a conversation with Deontay Wilder, Tim, even with him. I personally like was in the meeting with him, conference with him, that we were talking about a potential to fight there. So that was going well.

And I think even to this day, we are kind of like open about it. It's just along the way, he has the potential opportunity right away that they say, okay, we would like to pursue the conversation about what we have here. And for us it was understandable. I was like, OK, then let's explore, maybe after. And then, right after that, I started a conversation with the, for the Fury Fight.

Yeah, because I get a call, I was driving to, Yeah, I was driving to the airport and I get a call to meet in New York for some conversation about the Fury fight. And then when I get in New York, next week, we scheduled that on next week, I get in New York, we get to the room, I meet the people, he was the right people. We spoke, I hear them out, and I'm like, I knew them, right? And I'm like, okay, This is legit. I think with these people behind this fight is going to happen.

That's where I now put them in contact with my team to negotiate because they wanted me to do everything. Let's negotiate. I'm like I don't do negotiation. I listen. I talk about how I would like things to go.

But I don't like to negotiate personally. I want this. I deserve this. I'm that. I'd rather have somebody do that on my behalf

Speaker 0: Right somebody do that on your behalf and you want to respond to a good deal. We're good deal brought to you

Speaker 1: Yeah, okay I want somebody It's always good to have somebody in the mirror that would take the temper of both parties. Because a deal can fall off just because somebody is mad and his ego takes over and the deal is off. But when there's somebody in between, and you always come to like, okay, it's not him. And just to think about it. And that's what happened.

Because sometime with my team, there was frustrated and I'm like, oh no, this not working. And then they will come to you, then you will talk nice, you know, be a nice cop, have no problem. I'm like, no, but my team is saying this because they didn't mean to offend you, you know. But I think, you know.

Speaker 0: Got it. Frustrating, right?

Speaker 1: Yeah. I mean, no, not frustrating. Complicated. Yeah, but over the time, you learn, you understand how it works, and it's pretty easy. Okay.

It's pretty easy.

Speaker 0: So, you're in the driver's seat now because you've left the UFC you have all these opportunities on the table possibly Deontay Wilder then it becomes Tyson Fury so when do you know that that fight is actually going to take place because I know there was a lot... June. June.

Speaker 1: June. That was in June. That was in June. We locked that fight. It was concluded.

Everything was set.

Speaker 0: So for all those months from December to June, you're essentially just trying to find where you're going to land.

Speaker 1: Yeah, but before that I have... I agree the deal with the PFL, I think it was in March, but I made the request, I said, let's just figure out what would be my next boxing fight before we signed a deal.

Speaker 0: So you haven't signed the deal with the PFA?

Speaker 1: I haven't signed a deal.

Speaker 0: Is it possible, let me ask you this. Is it possible that you go and fight Tyson Fury and then the UFC comes back to you and says, listen, Let's make this right and let's fight John Jones. Is that possible?

Speaker 1: It's possible but- That's what I want. No, it's possible- That's what I want. It's possible but they have to go to the PFL

Speaker 0: now. Oh, because the PFL have a contract signed? Yeah. You did sign a contract.

Speaker 1: I did sign. I say in March. It wasn't signed.

Speaker 0: Right.

Speaker 1: I signed in May. Do you think the PFL would allow that? Oh, the PFL is down for that. Really? Yeah, it's down for that.

Wow. The PFL is down for that.

Speaker 0: So the PFL would let you fight in the UFC but what happens if you beat Jon Jones you become the UFC heavyweight champion again? That's a problem.

Speaker 1: I don't know. Maybe he'll be a special fight, a special bird or something. Maybe not like a UFC bird. I don't know.

Speaker 0: Yeah, the UFC probably

Speaker 1: would not

Speaker 0: be down for that. Yeah.

Speaker 1: Like, you

Speaker 0: win the title and then go fight in the PFL.

Speaker 1: No, no. Not the title. But, you know, to be honest, I don't worry about the title. The title is not what I worry about. I worry about that fight, that challenge.

Yes. And I wouldn't care if it was a fight without a title. You know, so in my, I don't need a UFC title. Especially with that fight,

Speaker 0: like what difference does it make? It's Jon Jones and you.

Speaker 1: No, that fight is bigger than a title.

Speaker 0: Yes, bigger than a title.

Speaker 1: The fight is bigger than a title.

Speaker 0: No doubt.

Speaker 1: So deep inside me, I still have a little bit of hope even though though I know He's gonna be hard but you never know

Speaker 0: Boy, that would be a big gamble for them because if you win then you're the champ, but you're signed with the PFL. Yeah. Oh. 0. OK, so June, you get the Tyson Fury bout negotiated.

Did you get everything you want? Was it easy?

Speaker 1: Again, you don't work in a room for a contract to get everything that you want. And at that moment I was just so happy, happy to get that fight happen because from that fight, a lot of things would be open. That fight would open a lot of door, you know, sometime, even in the negotiation, sometime you have to see long term, like what it comes with. Now I get this fight. I think it should have been a focus, right?

After this fight, imagine, hypothetically, I go out there and knock Tyson Fury out. What do you think will happen for me now? Where does that leave me?

Speaker 0: If you knock Tyson Fury out, You're the biggest combat sports star in the world. Okay, that's what I think.

Speaker 1: So is that everything that's your 1?

Speaker 0: Well, if you knock Tyson Fury out the real money's in a rematch exactly that's the real money that's they giving you crazy money

Speaker 1: for the Tyson Fury fight?

Speaker 0: Are they giving you crazy money for the Tyson Fury fight?

Speaker 1: Yeah, they're giving me a good money and very great condition. I like a lot of component, and again, I like a lot of component of this contract, who was like, the thing, the treatment that they were giving me, their access, how easy they make stuff for me. It's gonna be the first time that my family gonna attend to my fight, and I don't even have to think about that. They're gonna work on it. They're gonna figure out how to bring my mom, my sister, my brother out to Saudi to watch that fight.

Speaker 0: Oh, OK. So they're going to take care of everything.

Speaker 1: They're going to take care.

Speaker 0: And I think

Speaker 1: that's something that for me was very, very important. I think I could have had more money, but it wouldn't make me more happier than stuff like that. You kind of work with people that you feel like, okay, they are trying their best, their very best to make you feel comfortable, feel happy. I think that's also a partnership. It's not like 1 shot, OK, take everything that I can take and go.

How can we build something? Is it like somebody that I can trust? Can we build something for the future? And then when you feel like, yes, you invest into that relationship.

Speaker 0: OK. So June, they negotiate the fight. Is it 12 rounds? 10

Speaker 1: rounds.

Speaker 0: 10 rounds. Yeah. 10 rounds and they've created a new belt. Yeah. And you're happy with the money, you're happy with the conditions, you're happy with everything.

So then in June is when you go hardcore boxing training. Like when did you start like hardcore boxing training?

Speaker 1: I was training boxing already no No, like I was in a camp, but

Speaker 0: you're recovering from your knee surgery. First of all, right?

Speaker 1: Yes So yes, you

Speaker 0: can't kick you can't wrestle.

Speaker 1: I can kick I can wrestle. I mean, obviously careful. I have to be careful.

Speaker 0: How is the knee now? 100%?

Speaker 1: I don't have to worry about, like, kick, wrestling. Just knee. My knee is probably

Speaker 0: 90%.

Speaker 1: I mean, when you get a knee surgery.

Speaker 0: Did you get any stem cells or anything?

Speaker 1: No, yet.

Speaker 0: How long you in town for?

Speaker 1: I had a PRP. Mm-hmm. I'm leaving tonight.

Speaker 0: You're leaving tonight. Yeah, there's a company in Austin Ways to Well Ways

Speaker 1: to Well, yes, I get in contact with them I even do get them do my exam And I think Eric Nixick put me in contact with them.

Speaker 0: With Brigham?

Speaker 1: He sent me a contact.

Speaker 0: I can take care of

Speaker 1: that too. Yeah, with Brigham. Yeah, I can take care of that too. Yeah, with Brigham?

Speaker 0: Yeah, I can take care of that too.

Speaker 1: About the same, sir, if we have the time. And I think I'm gonna give it a shot.

Speaker 0: For sure.

Speaker 1: You know?

Speaker 0: It'll help you. It definitely will.

Speaker 1: It's very important to take care of To meant to maintain the vehicle. Yes

Speaker 0: Yeah, and what a vehicle it is,

Speaker 1: yeah, basically when you're gonna put it in a big crash like this

Speaker 0: so

Speaker 1: Yeah, because Tyson Fury is a big, he's a monster. He's a monster. I stand next to him, I'm like, damn, this guy is big.

Speaker 0: He's big.

Speaker 1: I'm like, you really need to go full force.

Speaker 0: Yeah, he's a big fellow. And he's very good, very skillful. You jump into the top of the heap, maybe ever.

Speaker 1: And then I was there at the press conference next to him, and I'm like, yes, look my fat belly. I'm a fat pig, I'm this. I'm like, don't you fool me. I have seen you.

Speaker 0: He tricks people with that belly.

Speaker 1: I'm like, don't you fool me. Don't you trick me, Tyson. I have seen you box, and you doesn't box as a fat anything at all. No.

Speaker 0: No, he doesn't. No, he doesn't. He's an animal.

Speaker 1: Because If you just focus on his body, then you'll be like, oh, easy job. No, man. When the guy's in the ring moving you, I'm like, okay, is it like something that they are remoting or something? I'm like, no, don't you fool me.

Speaker 0: No, he's very, Very skillful. Yeah. Very skillful.

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Francis Ngannou on Leaving the UFC, Signing Tyson Fury Fight, and Training with Mike Tyson