Francis Ngannou finds himself wealthier post-defeat to Anthony Joshua than he ever was in his UFC days, and he attributes part of his newfound boxing fortune to a generous friend.
The former UFC heavyweight champion boldly parted ways with Dana White's company in 2022, seeking a more lucrative path in heavyweight boxing. Ngannou made a splash in his debut against WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in October 2023, scoring a knockdown in round three but controversially denied the win on a split decision.
Undeterred, Ngannou faced two-time former champion Joshua in Saudi Arabia on March 8, aiming to test his mettle against the British boxer. Despite Joshua outclassing him and securing a knockout in round two, Ngannou walked away with a tidy $20 million (£15.75 million) payout – a substantial increase from his previous earnings of just under $10 million against Fury.
Ngannou acknowledged his generous benefactor, friend, and fellow UFC fighter Kamaru Usman, who provided crucial financial support when Ngannou decided to leave MMA behind. On the Pound 4 Pound podcast, Ngannou shared,
"He knew about stuff I turned down from the UFC during negotiation. Even my last fight in the UFC, you know I took $600,000 in my last fight as opposed to $5 million that they were offering for the same fight. I owe Usman, I owe him $200,000."
With his bank balance significantly boosted, Ngannou expressed gratitude for being able to repay Usman after his friend's substantial loan. The 37-year-old fighter also expanded his horizons by signing an MMA deal with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) last year. Ngannou's debut opponent will be Brazilian giant Renan Ferreira, though the date remains uncertain.
Ngannou's next move, whether in boxing or MMA, is yet to be determined, adding an intriguing layer to his evolving career.