Francis Ngannou has spoken about his departure from UFC, stating that he is content with his decision and that he feels he did the right thing for himself and others. He mentioned that while money was a factor in the negotiations, there were also non-monetary demands that were not met by the company.
Ngannou stated that he asked for certain rights, such as sponsorship and health insurance, but did not receive them. He also mentioned that he asked for a fighter advocate, someone who would represent the fighters in board meetings, but this was not granted.
“What I’ve learned is you don’t go to the table of negotiation expecting to have everything that you want. But at least you want your partner, the other side, to show your willingness or to at least try,” Ngannou said. “I asked for a lot of things, which doesn’t mean I was expecting all those things. I was expecting at least one or two of those things. I asked for the right of a sponsorship, which we’ve been ripped of. We can’t have sponsorship. I asked for health insurance. (I) couldn’t have (it). I asked for a fighter advocate, somebody in the board meeting who will advocate for the fighters. I asked for that. I couldn’t have those stuffs that I asked for. I just wanted (them) to know that there is something that I do want. I also wanted them to think (about) that, at least in consideration. ”
Ngannou emphasized that while he did not expect to get everything he wanted, he did expect the company to show willingness and to consider his requests.
