Francis Ngannou was offered £16m guaranteed for fight – but it wasn’t enough

Francis Ngannou will step into the ring for his lucrative fight against Tyson Fury – but the ex-UFC champion would have also landed a King’s ransom at ONE Championship.

The Cameroonian makes his boxing debut against the Gypsy King in Saudi Arabia, in a bout where he is expected to earn around $10m (£8.2m). However, he was offered more than double that by ONE CEO Chatri Sityodtong before this fascinating clash was announced.

In April, Ngannou was the most sought after free agent in the fighting world after his messy departure from the UFC. While he eventually went on to sign for the Professional Fighters’ League, (PFL) one of his first offers was given by the Thai fighting supremo.

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In an exclusive interview with Daily Star Sport in May, Sityodtong laid out exactly what the former UFC heavyweight champion was offered. "He was asking for a seat at the board of directors,” the 52-year-old said.

“He was asking for him to determine his opponent's pay. We offered him £16million ($20million) guaranteed, the money wasn't enough.

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“He wanted all of these other non-financial terms that didn't make a lot of sense. We obviously can't give a seat at the board of directors, that doesn't make any sense.

“He would be a fish out of water [in that position]." Instead, Ngannou agreed a huge multi-fight deal with the PFL, where he is expected to make his debut in 2024. He will reportedly receive around $4m per fight in the company.

His contract with the MMA brand also allowed him the opportunity to take on Fury on October 28. His clash against the WBC heavyweight world champion will be his first ever professional boxing match.

Considering his experience in the UFC and the fact that he is taking on one of the finest heavyweight boxers in history, Ngannou is a heavy underdog going into the clash in Riyadh.

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