FRANCIS NGANNOU has refused to extend his UFC contract and has criticised Dana White, the promotion's president, for borrowing money to finance his training camp.
UFC heavyweight champion Ngannou is reportedly down to his last fight under his current contract with the MMA giants. He prepares for a bout against interim champion Ciryl Ganes at UFC 270 on January 22.
The Predator's clause, as well as various UFC extensions, make things even more complicated.
The Cameroonian bruiser is seeking better terms, and even considering boxing alongside other ex-MMA stars.
Ngannou stated to Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour that they were trying to put pressure by extending the contract, but he did not sign a new agreement.
"And that's what I believe is the main issue. This is what's causing all the problems. I don't want a new deal with certain terms.
It doesn't work because I don’t feel secure in those terms. In the last two years, I've fought twice and had to borrow money to leave.
"Nobody cares. That deal is not guaranteed. And I have no quotation.
"So, based upon that experience, I want something better. My contract terms are better and I get paid what I'm due.
"I don't feel the need to borrow money to pay for my training camp. I will eventually go after the [boxing] money. I will go boxing. It's a sure thing.
According to the contract, I am an Independent Contractor. What I want is a contract that has a date for termination. I will do what I please.
"That's it, Independent Contractor. There may be a termination date. You are then free to do what you want.
"Then, you have the right to choose again where you are going and what you're doing.
"You don’t have to sign or stay in the same contract. That's not Independent Contractor.
According to SBNation Ngannou's problems are not isolated events. Some fighters are trying to resolve them in a class-action lawsuit against UFC.
Various personalities of the fighting world have spoken up against the organisation's pay to fighters, such as YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.
Paul recently stated: "It is something I'm bullish about and something that needs changing."
"For my fight when we were building the undercard, I was like: 'We have to make sure that this fight, these fighters and every single person on the card get paid the highest amount they've ever been paid to fight.
"I want to spread wealth, be about my words, and put action behind them. I want to be the change and not just talk about it."
