UFC Releases Francis Ngannou; Jon Jones Faces Cyril Gane For Vacant Heavyweight Title

Following a number of shocking developments, the UFC will be crowning a new undisputed heavyweight champion at UFC 285 this coming March 4th at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada.

Last Saturday, January 14, company president Dana White dropped a bombshell announcement that Francis Ngannou has been released after failing to negotiate a new deal with the UFC.

White, during a press conference following UFC Vegas 67, shared that Ngannou rejected a deal that would have made him "the highest-paid heavyweight in the history of the company."

"We offered Francis a deal that would have made him the highest-paid heavyweight in the history of the company," White said. "More than [Brock] Lesnar, more than anybody, and he turned the deal down."

White continued by saying that he felt Ngannou wasn't willing to take risks.

"I've told you, guys, before if you don't want to be here, you don't have to be here. I think Francis is in a place right now, where he doesn't want to take a lot of risks. He feels like he's in a good position, where he could fight lesser opponents and make more money, so we're gonna let him do that," the American promoter explained. "We're gonna release him from his contract and give up our right to match, and he can go where ever he wants and do whatever he wants."

Ngannou, 36, was widely regarded as one of the most devastating strikers in the history of the UFC's heavyweight division.

The Cameroonian knockout artist won his first six bouts with the organization, with five coming by way of knockout

The six-fight winning streak would earn Ngannou a shot at then-champion Stipe Miocic and the UFC heavyweight championship, but he would come up short.

He then lost to Derrick Lewis in his next fight.

Following back-to-back defeats, Ngannou would once again go on an impressive winning streak, reeling off four-straight knockout wins against former champions and top-level heavyweight contenders such as Curtis Blaydes, Cain Velasquez, Junior Dos Santos and Jairzinho Rozenstruick to earn another date with Miocic.

In the rematch, Ngannou knocked Miocic out in the second round to capture the gold-plated strap.

He would successfully defend the title against Cyril Gane in what ultimately would be his final fight in the UFC for now.

With Ngannou's release, the vacant UFC heavyweight championship will now be contested by ex-light heavyweight titleholder Jon Jones and No. 1-ranked heavyweight contender Cyril Gane.

Jones, widely considered by many as the best fighter in UFC history, returns after over three years away from action.

Jones was last seen inside the Octagon back in February 2020, successfully defending the light heavyweight title against Dominick Reyes.

Later in the year, Jones would vacate the UFC's 205-pound strap in order to make a move up to the heavyweight division.

"This is for the official heavyweight title...Jon Jones has been willing, and ready, and able to fight anybody, White stated. "He didn't care who it was, it could have been anybody in the heavyweight division. He was ready to go."

"If you look at the fight with Francis and Cyril, it was a damn close fight, so there's no doubt that those two guys are the best heavyweights in the world, and for Jon to come out and face one of them is exciting. It's fun."

A two-time champion in the light heavyweight division, Jones has notable wins over a who's who in the industry such as Brandon Vera, Ryan Bader, Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, Quniton "Rampage" Jackson, Lyoto Machida, Rashad Evans, Vitor Belfort, Chael Sonnen, Alexander Gustafsson, Daniel Cormier, Anthony Smith and Thiago Santos.

It was also reported that Jones recently re-signed with the UFC on an eight-fight deal.

Gane, meanwhile, came into the UFC as an undefeated prospect out of France with a 3-0 record.

"Bon Gamin" continued to dominate in the UFC, winning his first seven bouts and earning a shot at the title, then already held by Ngannou.

Gane came up short in a close bout against Ngannou, but he has since gotten back on track with a knockout win over Tai Tuivasa.