Francis Ngannou blames decline of heavyweight MMA on 'mismanagement'

Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has attributed the decline of heavyweight MMA to 'mismanagement' within the sport. Ngannou, who left the UFC in 2023 after his championship reign, cited current UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall's ongoing rift with the promotion as evidence of the problem. Since departing the UFC, Ngannou has fought in boxing against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, and most recently knocked out Renan Ferreira in October 2024 to claim the PFL Super Fights heavyweight title.