36-year-old Cameroonian mixed martial artist, Francis Xavier Ngannou , is no longer UFC heavyweight champion and is now free to sign with any other combat sports promotion. The information was officially made public by UFC’s President Dana White, on Saturday, January 14,2023.

Ngannou’s split from the UFC comes after more than, a year of contract disputes between both parties.

UFC also accuses Francis of wanting to face lesser opponents for more money and stated that, he could do that outside of the UFC, adding that Ngannou likely would not have been ready to compete from March, while recovering from injury.

UFC also announced that Ciryl Game vs Jon Jones will be contested for the vacant UFC heavyweight championship at UFC 285 in Las Vegas on March 4.

By Brian Mboh