Francis Ngannou has never shied away from defending his decision to leave the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). And according to the former heavyweight champion, the criticism surrounding his legacy means very little compared to the financial security he has built for his family.
In 2023, Ngannou parted ways with the UFC after fighting out his contract. The two sides failed to reach an agreement on a new deal, despite Ngannou holding the heavyweight title at the time.
Shortly after leaving the promotion, Ngannou signed a lucrative agreement with the Professional Fighters League and pursued opportunities in boxing. He stepped into the ring against heavyweight stars Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, reportedly earning around $10 million for each fight.
While the move brought Ngannou greater pay and freedom, it also came with a tradeoff. Since leaving the UFC, Ngannou has fought just once in MMA, defeating Renan Ferreira at PFL Battle of the Giants in 2024. For many fans, that decision ended any realistic chance of Ngannou cementing himself as the greatest heavyweight in UFC history.
Ngannou, however, has made it clear that legacy alone does not pay the bills.
Speaking to reporters at a press conference promoting the upcoming fight card headlined by Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, Ngannou addressed the criticism directly.
“Let me tell you what’s a legacy: my legacy right now is my kids back home, is my family back home getting health care, getting security, being able to put food on the table, being able to put a roof on their head,” Ngannou said.
“That’s a better legacy. You can have the Muhammad Ali legacy, or whatever you want, if your kid cannot attend school, he has no place in society. If your kid doesn’t have food in his stomach, that legacy doesn’t help you for anything.”
Ngannou believes the concept of fighting purely for legacy is often pushed by promotions to convince athletes to accept smaller paydays.
“You cannot go to the store, or to the gas station, or at school and pay the school a fee with legacy,” Ngannou explained.
“This is bullshit that promotion feeds fighters, trick fighters with, and they’re all out there ‘fighting for legacy.’ Good for you. Keep the legacy. Give me my pay, what I deserve.”
Despite the debate surrounding his career choices, Ngannou continues to move forward with new opportunities.
Earlier this month, Ngannou was released from his contract with the Professional Fighters League. He is now preparing for another return to MMA, where he will face Philipe Lins in the co-main event of the Rousey vs. Carano card.
The event will take place at the Intuit Dome and stream live on Netflix on May 16. For Ngannou, the path he chose may have sparked debate among fans. But in his eyes, the priority remains simple, securing a better life for his family while continuing to compete at the highest level of combat sports.
