• Francis Ngannou celebrates after his victory over Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 at Honda Center, where he retained his UFC heavyweight title. USA TODAY Sports
    Francis Ngannou celebrates after his victory over Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 at Honda Center, where he retained his UFC heavyweight title. USA TODAY Sports
  • Francis Ngannou celebrates his win over Ciryl Gane at UFC 270. USA TODAY Sports
    Francis Ngannou celebrates his win over Ciryl Gane at UFC 270. USA TODAY Sports
  • Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane grapple on the canvas during UFC 270. USA TODAY Sports
    Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane grapple on the canvas during UFC 270. USA TODAY Sports
  • Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane (attempt to lock each other during their heavyweight title bout at UFC 270. USA TODAY Sports
    Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane (attempt to lock each other during their heavyweight title bout at UFC 270. USA TODAY Sports
  • Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane compete during UFC 270. USA TODAY Sports
    Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane compete during UFC 270. USA TODAY Sports
  • Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane compete during their heavyweight title bout at UFC 270. USA TODAY Sports
    Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane compete during their heavyweight title bout at UFC 270. USA TODAY Sports
  • Francis Ngannou lands a body shot on Ciryl Gane during their heavyweight title bout at UFC 270. USA TODAY Sports
    Francis Ngannou lands a body shot on Ciryl Gane during their heavyweight title bout at UFC 270. USA TODAY Sports
  • Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane grapple on the canvas during their heavyweight title bout at UFC 270. USA TODAY Sports
    Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane grapple on the canvas during their heavyweight title bout at UFC 270. USA TODAY Sports
  • Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane grapple on the canvas during their heavyweight title bout at UFC 270. USA TODAY Sports
    Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane grapple on the canvas during their heavyweight title bout at UFC 270. USA TODAY Sports
  • Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane trade blows during their heavyweight title bout at UFC 270. USA TODAY Sports
    Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane trade blows during their heavyweight title bout at UFC 270. USA TODAY Sports
  • Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane fight during their heavyweight title bout at UFC 270. USA TODAY Sports
    Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane fight during their heavyweight title bout at UFC 270. USA TODAY Sports
  • Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane fight during their heavyweight title bout at UFC 270. USA TODAY Sports
    Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane fight during their heavyweight title bout at UFC 270. USA TODAY Sports
  • Francis Ngannou throws a punch at Ciryl Gane during their heavyweight title bout at UFC 270. USA TODAY Sports
    Francis Ngannou throws a punch at Ciryl Gane during their heavyweight title bout at UFC 270. USA TODAY Sports
  • Francis Ngannou throws a punch at Ciryl Gane during their heavyweight title bout at UFC 270. USA TODAY Sports
    Francis Ngannou throws a punch at Ciryl Gane during their heavyweight title bout at UFC 270. USA TODAY Sports
  • Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane trade kicks during their heavyweight title bout at UFC 270. USA TODAY Sports
    Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane trade kicks during their heavyweight title bout at UFC 270. USA TODAY Sports
  • Ciryl Gane lands a punch on Francis Ngannou during their heavyweight title bout at UFC 270. USA TODAY Sports
    Ciryl Gane lands a punch on Francis Ngannou during their heavyweight title bout at UFC 270. USA TODAY Sports
  • Ciryl Gane lands a jab on Francis Ngannou during their heavyweight title bout at UFC 270. USA TODAY Sports
    Ciryl Gane lands a jab on Francis Ngannou during their heavyweight title bout at UFC 270. USA TODAY Sports
  • Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane fight during their heavyweight title bout at UFC 270. USA TODAY Sports
    Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane fight during their heavyweight title bout at UFC 270. USA TODAY Sports

Francis Ngannou won't sign new UFC deal - unless Tyson Fury bout is part of agreement


John McAuley
  • English
  • Arabic

UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou says any new contract with the promotion must include an option to fight boxing star Tyson Fury in a crossover bout.

The Cameroonian, currently recovering from knee surgery, has been involved in an often public dispute with the UFC having fought out his most recent deal with victory against Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 in January. Since he is champion, he can become a free agent only in December.

Speaking on Monday night on The MMA Hour, Ngannou told host Ariel Helwani that he had had clear-the-air talks with the UFC over dinner since the Gane win and then again last week with UFC chief business officer Hunter Campbell, although he did add that “as far as business, we haven’t really moved on”.

“There is a lot of work to do here,” Ngannou said.

However, in terms of a new deal with the UFC, Ngannou stated unequivocally that he wants the opportunity to take on Fury. The two heavyweight champions of their respective sports met in the ring following Fury’s successful WBC title defence against Dillian Whyte at London’s Wembley Stadium on Saturday, with both reiterating their desire to go head-to-head in a crossover fight.

After defeating Whyte by sixth-round knockout, the undefeated Fury (32-0-1) said he was retiring from professional boxing.

On Monday, Ngannou told The MMA Hour: “The Tyson Fury fight has to be part of the discussion. That’s not an option. It has to be part of the discussion, because if that’s not part of the discussion now, it will never be.

"If I sign another contract now, and basically the same model of a contract, I’m screwed. It’s not happening ever. So we have to figure out a way to implement this into a contract.”

Ngannou added: “My contract situation is not a roadblock because either way, my contract situation will not stop me from fighting. So I think it’s pretty easy. Tyson Fury’s contract situation as well is coming up soon, therefore, there’s nothing that can hold us from doing it.”

Ngannou, 35, is 17-3 in pro MMA having put together a six-fight win streak following successive losses in 2018. He won the heavyweight belt in March last year, with a second-round knockout of then-champion Stipe Miocic, then came through his first defence in dominant fashion against No 1-ranked contender Gane.

“I think the UFC is a great promotion and I want to keep fighting,” Ngannou said. “Tyson Fury is not my last fight. I want to keep fighting after Tyson Fury. There’s still a lot of fights out there.

“There’s Jon Jones, there’s a trilogy with Stipe [they first fought in January 2018, with Miocic the victor], there’s big fights I can do in the UFC, so I would really like that to happen. I would really like also to get to a common point.

"Yes, I can do Tyson Fury on my own, but what next? I would like to keep fighting. I would like for us to come to an agreement, but for that they have to have a good understanding of the situation.”

Fury stops Whyte to retain WBC title

  • Tyson Fury celebrates with his belts after beating Dillian Whyte by sixth-round stoppage. AP
    Tyson Fury celebrates with his belts after beating Dillian Whyte by sixth-round stoppage. AP
  • Tyson Fury celebrates his knockout win over Dillian Whyte to retain his WBC heavyweight title at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, April 23, 2022 as referee Mark Lyson supports Whyte on the ropes. Reuters
    Tyson Fury celebrates his knockout win over Dillian Whyte to retain his WBC heavyweight title at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, April 23, 2022 as referee Mark Lyson supports Whyte on the ropes. Reuters
  • Tyson Fury celebrates with his wife Paris, right, and trainer SugarHill Steward. AP
    Tyson Fury celebrates with his wife Paris, right, and trainer SugarHill Steward. AP
  • Tyson Fury knocks down Dillian Whyte during their WBC heavyweight title fight. AP
    Tyson Fury knocks down Dillian Whyte during their WBC heavyweight title fight. AP
  • Tyson Fury celebrates after knocking down Dillian Whyte during their WBC heavyweight title fight. PA
    Tyson Fury celebrates after knocking down Dillian Whyte during their WBC heavyweight title fight. PA
  • Dillian Whyte is surrounded by his team after his defeat to Tyson Fury at Wembley Stadium. PA
    Dillian Whyte is surrounded by his team after his defeat to Tyson Fury at Wembley Stadium. PA
  • Tyson Fury throws a jab at Dillian Whyte. AP
    Tyson Fury throws a jab at Dillian Whyte. AP
  • Tyson Fury lands a right cross on Dillian Whyte during their WBC world heavyweight title fight. Getty
    Tyson Fury lands a right cross on Dillian Whyte during their WBC world heavyweight title fight. Getty
  • Tyson Fury lands a body punch on Dillian Whyte during the WBC world heavyweight title fight. Getty
    Tyson Fury lands a body punch on Dillian Whyte during the WBC world heavyweight title fight. Getty
  • Dillian Whyte lands a reaching cross on Tyson Fury during their WBC world heavyweight title fight. Getty
    Dillian Whyte lands a reaching cross on Tyson Fury during their WBC world heavyweight title fight. Getty
  • Tyson Fury and Dillian Whyte exchange punches during their WBC world heavyweight title fight. Getty
    Tyson Fury and Dillian Whyte exchange punches during their WBC world heavyweight title fight. Getty
  • Tyson Fury during his ring walk ahead of his WBC heavyweight title fight against Dillian Whyte. PA
    Tyson Fury during his ring walk ahead of his WBC heavyweight title fight against Dillian Whyte. PA
  • Fireworks are set off during Tyson Fury's ring walk for his WBC heavyweight title boxing fight against Dillian Whyte. AP
    Fireworks are set off during Tyson Fury's ring walk for his WBC heavyweight title boxing fight against Dillian Whyte. AP
  • Tyson Fury sits on a throne during his ring walk to face Dillian Whyte at Wembley Stadium. Getty
    Tyson Fury sits on a throne during his ring walk to face Dillian Whyte at Wembley Stadium. Getty
  • Tyson Fury pumps his arms to the crowd during his ring walk to fight Dillian Whyte. Getty
    Tyson Fury pumps his arms to the crowd during his ring walk to fight Dillian Whyte. Getty
  • Tyson Fury soaks up the cheers from the crowd during his ring walk ahead of his fight against Dillian Whyte. Reuters
    Tyson Fury soaks up the cheers from the crowd during his ring walk ahead of his fight against Dillian Whyte. Reuters
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The schedule

December 5 - 23: Shooting competition, Al Dhafra Shooting Club

December 9 - 24: Handicrafts competition, from 4pm until 10pm, Heritage Souq

December 11 - 20: Dates competition, from 4pm

December 12 - 20: Sour milk competition

December 13: Falcon beauty competition

December 14 and 20: Saluki races

December 15: Arabian horse races, from 4pm

December 16 - 19: Falconry competition

December 18: Camel milk competition, from 7.30 - 9.30 am

December 20 and 21: Sheep beauty competition, from 10am

December 22: The best herd of 30 camels

Company%C2%A0profile
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Europa League group stage draw

Group A: Villarreal, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Astana, Slavia Prague.
Group B: Dynamo Kiev, Young Boys, Partizan Belgrade, Skenderbeu.
Group C: Sporting Braga, Ludogorets, Hoffenheim, Istanbul Basaksehir.
Group D: AC Milan, Austria Vienna , Rijeka, AEK Athens.
Group E: Lyon, Everton, Atalanta, Apollon Limassol.
Group F: FC Copenhagen, Lokomotiv Moscow, Sheriff Tiraspol, FC Zlin.
Group G: Vitoria Plzen, Steaua Bucarest, Hapoel Beer-Sheva, FC Lugano.
Group H: Arsenal, BATE Borisov, Cologne, Red Star Belgrade.
Group I: Salzburg, Marseille, Vitoria Guimaraes, Konyaspor.
Group J: Athletic Bilbao, Hertha Berlin, Zorya Luhansk, Ostersund.
Group K: Lazio, Nice, Zulte Waregem, Vitesse Arnhem.
Group L: Zenit St Petersburg, Real Sociedad, Rosenborg, Vardar

Washmen Profile

Date Started: May 2015

Founders: Rami Shaar and Jad Halaoui

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: Laundry

Employees: 170

Funding: about $8m

Funders: Addventure, B&Y Partners, Clara Ventures, Cedar Mundi Partners, Henkel Ventures

Prop idols

Girls full-contact rugby may be in its infancy in the Middle East, but there are already a number of role models for players to look up to.

Sophie Shams (Dubai Exiles mini, England sevens international)

An Emirati student who is blazing a trail in rugby. She first learnt the game at Dubai Exiles and captained her JESS Primary school team. After going to study geophysics at university in the UK, she scored a sensational try in a cup final at Twickenham. She has played for England sevens, and is now contracted to top Premiership club Saracens.

----

Seren Gough-Walters (Sharjah Wanderers mini, Wales rugby league international)

Few players anywhere will have taken a more circuitous route to playing rugby on Sky Sports. Gough-Walters was born in Al Wasl Hospital in Dubai, raised in Sharjah, did not take up rugby seriously till she was 15, has a master’s in global governance and ethics, and once worked as an immigration officer at the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi. In the summer of 2021 she played for Wales against England in rugby league, in a match that was broadcast live on TV.

----

Erin King (Dubai Hurricanes mini, Ireland sevens international)

Aged five, Australia-born King went to Dubai Hurricanes training at The Sevens with her brothers. She immediately struck up a deep affection for rugby. She returned to the city at the end of last year to play at the Dubai Rugby Sevens in the colours of Ireland in the Women’s World Series tournament on Pitch 1.

How to donate

Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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Specs

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Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

Available: Now

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Tonight's Chat on The National

Tonight's Chat is a series of online conversations on The National. The series features a diverse range of celebrities, politicians and business leaders from around the Arab world.

Tonight’s Chat host Ricardo Karam is a renowned author and broadcaster who has previously interviewed Bill Gates, Carlos Ghosn, Andre Agassi and the late Zaha Hadid, among others.

Intellectually curious and thought-provoking, Tonight’s Chat moves the conversation forward.

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Updated: April 26, 2022, 7:11 AM