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Francis Ngannou retained his title with a unanimous decision win.
In the main event of UFC 270, Francis Ngannou won a back-and-forth match to retain his title. There is a time and a place for it.
The time is 7:50 PM.
Francis Ngannou's agent was threatened by the UFC just hours before Ngannou was set to compete in a title fight.
Ngannou said his agent told him that the UFC sent him an email threatening to take him to court, and that he was getting ready to go to Honda Center in Anaheim, California, on Saturday.
Ngannou said that Martin discussed Ngannou competing in boxing with the business partner of Jake Paul while under the UFC contract.
The timing and contents of the email were confirmed by a source with knowledge of the situation. The Creative Artists Agency has an agent named Martin.
Ngannou said on "The MMA Hour" that he walked into the room to wait for his manager and coach. They were amazed. I'm wondering what's going on. They were told by the UFC that they're going to file a lawsuit against Martin for talking with this guy. Yeah. I'm wondering who is Nakisa.
The co- founder of Paul's Most Valuable Promotions company is Bidarian, the former UFC chief financial officer. Ngannou said he talks about boxing with a lot of people, but he doesn't know who Bidarian is.
Ngannou wouldn't recognize him if he was in front of him.
The UFC, Martin and Bidarian declined to comment on the matter.
In the main event of UFC 270, Ngannou won a unanimous decision over the interim champion. Dana White didn't come to the postfight news conference because he didn't wrap the belt around Ngannou's waist.
The UFC and Ngannou have been at odds for months. If Ngannou had lost, his contract would have expired and he would have been a free agent. The promoter's "champions clause" kicks in if Ngannou retains the UFC title, meaning he will be under contract for one more year or three fights.
Ngannou said Monday that he is willing to hold out for an entire year rather than compete on this contract, which pays him $600,000 per fight. He said that the root of Ngannou's issue is not financial. He said on "The MMA Hour" that he turned down about $7 million over the past two fights because he was not willing to do more fights under the circumstances.
The UFC has never allowed its athletes to compete in both boxing and MMA at the same time. UFC fighters are legally classified as independent contractors, which Ngannou said is a question of freedom.
Ngannou said that the term of the contract held you like a prisoner. You have no rights, you can't do anything. The contract is one-sided. You don't have health insurance when you put your body on the line for a show. Risking everything.
Ngannou said he understands the lack of health insurance as an independent contractor, but should be treated as such.
Ngannou said that you can fight for the UFC. I just want to be free. An independent contractor is a free person. They need some adjustments in that contract. That's what I've been fighting for.
He said that Ngannou had a torn right MCL and a damagedACL when he came into the fight. He is going to need surgery and will be looking at extended time off. Despite the injury and contract situation, Ngannou still wants to fight.
The future of the world's top MMA fighter is not certain.
Ngannou said he didn't get any more clarity after the game. Ngannou said that no one from the UFC has contacted him or Martin to discuss a new contract.
Ngannou said that they don't look like they want to talk to him anymore.
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