Francis Ngannou has been stripped of the UFC heavyweight title and is free to test free agency waters. Sean Strickland, who’s not easily silenced, had a thing or two to say about Ngannou’s exit.
Dana White stated at the UFC Vegas 67 post-fight press conference that Ngannou turned down multiple UFC contract offers that would have made him the highest-paid heavyweight in the organization’s history. The promotion has therefore waived the exclusive negotiating window and the matching rights clause.
Sean Strickland, who trains alongside Francis Ngannou at the Xtreme Couture facility in Las Vegas, took multiple slights at the UFC following his victory over Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Vegas 67. Speaking at the post-fight media scrum, Strickland stated:
“It’s a damn shame to see Francis go. He’s f**king iconic in the UFC. He’s probably one of the greatest heavyweights we’ve ever had. It s**ks he parted ways but I hope him and Tyson Fury fight for a lot of f**king money.”
Strickland added that if the fight against heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury does materialize, Ngannou will have accomplished the objective he has been pursuing for a long time:
“It s**ks that he leaves but if he can get that big money fight with Tyson… hats off to you Francis. Enjoy your go f**k yourself money.”
Check out the clip below:
Earlier that same night, in his post-fight octagon interview, Strickland expressed his sorrow for the loss of Stephan Bonnar while also highlighting the need for improved fighter treatment:
“I want to give my condolences to Bonnar man. The guy f**king paved the way for the sport. With the old beat-up fighters man, after we’re in this f**king sport, we’re nobody. We’re usually broke with nothing going on for us. So give support to these old dogs.”
Catch Strickland’s comments below: