MMA Fighting - Francis Ngannou Frustrated Waiting for His Title Shot, Discusses Stipe Miocic and Jon Jones Moving to Heavyweight

Episode Date: December 7, 2020

Francis Ngannnou details his frustration waiting for a heavyweight title shot and his thoughts on Stipe Miocic as well as Jon Jones making the move to heavyweight Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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So download the app today and get $0 delivery fees on your first three orders. Instacart, groceries that over-deliver. Service fees exclusions in terms apply. You're listening to the Vox Media Podcast Network. As we await the return of UFC heavyweight champion Steepi Miochich in 2021, no one is more anxious for that to happen to my next guest. He is the number one ranked heavyweight contender in the world, coming off a blistering knockout over Jarsigno Rosenstrike in his last appearance.

This is Francis Inganu. Hey, Francis, how are you? I'm good, Damon. How are you? I'm good. Thank you so much, as always, for taking me. taking the time for me. I really appreciate it. Anytime. So let me start before we get to the fight stuff. How was the trip home?

I know you got to go to Cameroon recently. How was the trip home and doing everything in your home community? It was great. You know, you always agree to go back home, you know, enjoy family. Basically after this time was little special after this crazy time. crazy time of this crazy pandemic. So to finally go back home, it was like a brand new thing, you know? Absolutely. I didn't say like he was home that I used to go all the time, like multiple

time a year. Because at some point, it was very complicated to go back. Yeah, absolutely, absolutely. How is everyone dealing with the pandemic there? because I know obviously here it's been so crazy with the pandemic. Yeah, but there is a little different than here, you know. It's not as crazy as you. There we have, like right now, they are not talking about pandemic at all.

They are still taking some sort of precaution that it's not like here, you know. It's just because people keep that in mind. And you also helps them to, like, remember some good manners, you know, which is good. Yeah, absolutely. But other than that, there is no, like, the direct threat right now in the coming on. Yeah, well, that's good to hear. Well, Francis, of course, you know, we talked before and after your last fight, which seems, you know, like a lifetime ago at this point,

because, you know, May, with the pandemic, everything's kind of moved slower, but it feels like a lifetime ago. So kind of give me a sense what this last six months has been like for you because I know you wanted to get back in there sooner. Obviously you had to wait

for DC and Steve A to play out but as it's been frustrating have you been able to put your focus on training? Like where has your head been in this last six months as you're just kind of sitting and waiting for your title shot?

Yeah. As you said, it's been a lifetime. And it's kind of like It's still kind of like frustrating, even though I'm trying to take it out of my mind, knowing that I can do nothing to change it. You know, even before fighting in May, I was, I bent through the same sort of story, a situation who kind of like gave me ready to face it again, you know.

I was waiting for Steppe and D.C., which is who was in August, and obviously I was expecting something in December. And that's why after their fight, I just came back from Cameroon and expecting that maybe sometime in December because it's four months away or maybe January the latest. We might have a fight. But obviously, no. Like, I don't know.

What I know is they just say a match, but it's not official. And who knows. Who knows how that will play out. Yeah. Before I get back to Steve A, let me ask. I know it's been a little while now, Francis, but I do want to get your thoughts.

What did you think of that Daniel Cormier, you know, Steve A trilogy. Were you, in a way, were you, were you happy Steve A, one? Because, A, it sets up your rematch, but also, you know, takes out the controversy of, you know, D.C. had retired. Like, so what did you think of that fight? And was there part of you

that was happy, Steve A. one? Yeah. I mean, as you said, like, it was a controversy situation. So I would have be okay with anyone winning because I would have liked to fight

this but at the meantime I wanted the rematch against TEPA but I would say I wanted I wanted the rematch against TEPA more than fighting in D.C.

So yeah I was good with the outcome, with the result that's TEPA won and I'll have to find My only thing with that trilogy is that he has been holding the heavyweight division up for a long time. Like two years, they haven't been terrified in this division for two years, except of those between us today and this.

But other than that, there hasn't been like a fight with a contenders, which is why contenders fight for, who fight for the title. But there's no title going on in this division. And I don't know how long that will last, but it's kind of like, and I'm sure,

I can assure you, I'm sure it's not just missing that. other contenders will also be shared the same way, you know, because if there is not a tire fight, contenders, they are no moving on. They're just fighting without purpose, you know, without a real goal. Because when you're a prosper, you fight to be contender. When you become contender, you fight to be champion. and now

heavyweight contender right now I don't really know what they are fighting for yeah does that for those who are fighting for those who are fighting

because in my case I'm not fighting I can't even they say I'm fighting yeah I know like I don't think there's any personal issue with

with you and Stepe obviously it's a competition thing you want to you want to beat him to become champion and also avenge a pass loss. But does the delays, you know, does that create any tension with Stipe, you know, considering that you were hoping for December, maybe January, now you're looking at March, and as you said, that's not official, you know, you haven't gotten a contract saying it's happening in March.

Like, does that change your feeling towards Stipe just because of the delays, or do you just have to, you know, chalk that up to being part of the business? At the end of the day, CIPA doesn't decide much. I think the UFC is in charge of this. And that's why, like, my last fight, we requested that to be like an entering fight. So at this, we can fight for something. And if that would have been for an entering fight,

I'm sure I would be fighting by now But, you know And they're dying And, you know So I don't think I just least TP on his end Want to do things on his way Which is like what everyone

Who want to do But it's not for him To like Regulate the situation in the division You know Yeah, absolutely With that being much is duty.

Yeah, yeah. And with that being said, you know, obviously we've talked about the rematch with Steepa before. Ultimately, you want to become champion. Your job is to become champion. But at this point in your own head, as you're, you know, you can't really start preparing for a fight because obviously you don't know when that fight's going to be. But in your own head, like, how anxious are you to fight Steepay, not only for the title, but to get that loss off your record? because I know you want to show how much you've improved since that last fight with him. I'm not anxious about it.

You know, it's just going to be fight. Now I take things at there. Fight is a fight. And I'm going to go there, do my best. And I don't carry, I try to lay out a lot of pressure, not to carry them with me. Yeah. With that being said, if everything were to go well and you become champion, you mentioned in the last two years, you know, basically have been Daniel Cormier and Steepay in their trilogy. If you become champion, Francis, do you want to be a very active champion?

Like in your head, would you like to, you know, defend a title two or three times a year? Like, in a perfect world, would that be what you'd like to do as champion? Yeah, I mean, at the point, I'm right now, um, Like, sometimes I feel like if I continue like this, I would even forget how to fight. You know, like the past almost two years, I fought once a year, which is not what I was expecting. And I'm 34, which is my prime. And I will be in a couple of years. I will not be in the same,

I will not still have the same, how they say that, I would not still be in my crime. So yes, I want to be active as more as possible. And if he comes to, remember, he's not my call. And if it was my call, I will be fighting three times a year.

That's what I always look for. Yeah, absolutely. Francis, I know you've mentioned this in the past, and only because I haven't had a chance to talk to you about it, I wanted to ask you. But obviously, beyond you and Steve, we also know that John Jones is coming to the heavyweight division. And I know that's a fight you tried to get this year. Obviously, it didn't happen, unfortunately. But as the guy who is going to fight for the title next, is there excitement of John Jones joining heavyweight? And do you feel like that is, you know, that is going to be? be a massive fight when you finally do get a chance to face him. Because I got to be honest, when you guys were going back and forth on Twitter, I was jumping up and down excited about the possibility of seeing you fight John Jones. Yeah, I mean, it's obviously something that we would love. Everyone would love to see. I mean, if I was a friend myself, I would have liked to see that fight.

but and I wanted it to happen if this fight was to happen I would have be active by now you know this fight has two positive things

which is like fighting Jun Jun which is probably the greatest of all the time the number one pound of pound fighter in the war in my opinion but at the meantime

I will stay active because right now, things right here is just slack. And this, I don't know where I am. I don't know what I'm doing exactly. I mean, at least having a fight is a good thing. And then having a big fight is a great thing, you know. So, yes. And that's something that I'm looking forward for too. Yeah.

I know this is more in the future, Francis. but how do you feel you match up with John Jones? I think I match up pretty well with John Jones. He's gaining weight now, and as he's already big and strong, but I think I match up pretty good. He has some good skill that he can match. He can match my power.

He's going to be different. Yeah. obviously, as you said, you don't control the, you know, the way things play out. But, you know, since John Jones has said he's coming to heavyweight, he said, you know, I want a title shot, I want to fight for the title immediately. But Dana White has said time and time again, Francis is getting the title shot. John Jones can come after that. Again, I know nothing is guaranteed until you get a contract.

But does it make you feel some sense of satisfaction or at least, you know, a little bit of relief that, you know, at least they're saying, you know, you're still going to get your contract? title shot, they're not going to let John Jones jump in front of you because I think there was some worry, you know, that maybe they would let John get a title shot. But Dana has been very clear, you were getting the title shot, and then John Jones can come after that. Okay, and then why should I be worried? Exactly. With that being said,

I'm not worried. Yeah. Away from your own fight that just happened, I know we've talked in the past. You are a big boxing fan, and I know you grew up a Mike Tyson fan. Did you watch Mike Tyson's comeback last weekend? Yes, I do. What did you think of his, what did you think? That was great. I mean, I was a little bit concerned about 54 years of Mike Tyson going out there to to box, you know, to fight again.

but seeing his training and everything, I think he gave me a little confidence of that fight. And I think it looks good. It was too explosive, it was too fast, strong, and everything. You know, that was a very great fight beyond my expectation. Yeah. I know you've talked about boxing in the past, and obviously you're not going to fight Mike Tyson,

but I mean, in terms of boxing, is that still something you would like to pursue? Maybe one day sharing a card with Mike Tyson? Like, would that be a dream come true for you one day? Listen, from now, let's focus on the prison. I can't even control the prison and what happened. So the future are going, step into not only the title fight and M&A to go to boxing right now,

I can really control that. What will happen? What will happen, what will happen, you know, who happened, what happened. I just want a fight. Yeah. But I'm looking to happen. One day is just an next fight.

Yeah. Obviously, right now, you just want to fight again. As I said, it feels like an eternity since your last fight, and I know you're anxious to book this title fight and just get back in action, right? Like, that's what you want more than anything. Yeah, absolutely. Well, Francis, thank you for...

Go ahead, go ahead. I just want to fight next. I said, I just want to fight next, you know. So it's been seven months since my last fight. And, you know, I don't know exactly, for sure, when it's my next fight. So, you know, it's kind of like really hard to find motivation and everything. Even when you're training and don't have motivation,

it's kind of like a little bit hard, you know. Yeah. You're running a race and you don't know where the finish line is, right? Yes, exactly. you don't, yeah. Well, Francis, I appreciate you taking the time to talk with me. Obviously, I can't wait to see you back in action. I hope you have a good holiday, of course, and hopefully next time we speak,

it's once the fight with Steve-Bay is booked. We've got a date and a location, and we can actually talk about the fight. Hopefully. I wish we would have that, I hope to have that fun. Absolutely. Thank you again, Francis. I really appreciate the time today. Okay, thank you much

All right, bye-bye Just to your next time All right, bye-bye You're listening to the Vox Media Podcast Network