A bit of a shocking news as the UFC just booked an interim heavyweight fight for Derrick Lewis vs Ciryl Gane for UFC 265, August 7. Ngannou’s manager was not pleased with the news as it doesn’t seem fair for the current champion’s behalf.
Representatives for @Thebeast_ufc and @ciryl_gane each expressed how "excited" the respective teams are for their UFC 265 fight.
(via @bokamotoESPN) pic.twitter.com/rYsg2oOTm7
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) June 28, 2021
It is certainly unfair for Ngannou since he just fought last March so he deserved to take a break after winning the belt. What is also interesting to consider that Ngannou waited for his second title shot for more than a year since the UFC made the Miocic vs Cormier trilogy.
Ngannou then agreed to face Rozenstruik who did not deserve to fight a highly ranked contender. Ngannou could choose to sit and wait for the trilogy to end and face winner, yet he faced Rozenstruik which risked his title shot if he lost the fight. So there is no question that Ngannou deserves to take a break after winning the belt.
Marquel Martin, who is Ngannou’s manager was shocked that the UFC booked the interim fight instead. No one saw this coming, many thought that Gane would face the winner of Ngannou vs Lewis 2, since there many reports that it was almost a done deal. The only thing that lacked was the fight date and reports say that Ngannou declined the fight for August.
Francis Ngannou's agent called news of an interim UFC heavyweight title fight a "complete shock."
(via @bokamotoESPN) pic.twitter.com/dc3jizjJ3S
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) June 28, 2021
The reports are not yet clear but official statement from the UFC will be expected soon. Hopefully both parties come to an agreement and not make the interim fight instead. It doesn’t make sense since the champion just fought 3 months ago, and there were fighters that did not even book the interim for a far longer period.
Ciryl Gane may be commended for staying active but the champion should have its perks as well. No one could blame Gane and Lewis for taking the fight as it is a big opportunity knocking on their doors, it is the UFC’s side that still needs clarity as to why they came to a decision of making an interim fight.
