Ngannou: 'I don't feel like I have been treated good' by UFC
Francis Ngannou took some time to air his grievances with the UFC following his first heavyweight title defense.
Ngannou defeated Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 in the last fight on his current deal. However, he'll remain under contract for the immediate future because he's a champion.
Ngannou said after his unanimous decision victory he's felt disrespected by UFC brass.
"It's not simply money," Ngannou said at the postfight press conference, according to MMA Fighting. "Obviously, money is part of it. But it's also the terms of the contract. I don't agree with it. I don't feel like it's fair. I don't feel like I'm a free man. I don't feel like I have been treated good.
"Everybody should at least have a right to claim for what's best for him. At the end of the day, we put a lot of work into this job. We take a lot in our bodies to make it happen. At least we can have a fair and square deal."
Ngannou's management has been at odds with the promotion in recent months, and the two sides did not agree to a new deal ahead of the Gane matchup. Had he lost to Gane, he would have become a free agent following a 90-day exclusivity period.
Based on the language in his contract, Ngannou said he believes he'd become a free agent in about a year if he were to remain on the sidelines and wait for it to expire.
The 35-year-old has expressed a desire to compete in boxing, though he did not comment further Saturday about the future of his career.