UFC Uncensored #3 - Dana vs. "The Predator"

ACC UFC resident expert Felix Heath-Collins with UFC Uncensored #3

On this rare week off from UFC fight cards, the recurring segment UFC Uncensored returns. UFC Uncensored is a series that analyses the controversies that the UFC regularly faces. And, as far as controversy goes, the UFC truly outdid themselves this week.

A hostage negotiation is ongoing between UFC President Dana White and the heavyweight champion Francis "The Predator" N'Gannou and it's recently turned terrible. Three months ago (at UFC 260 in March) N'Gannou knocked out the former champion Stipe Miocic to claim the heavyweight belt, yet the UFC has already created an interim heavyweight belt to be fought this August. MMA fans, analysts, and fighters are justifiably outraged by this baffling decision from the promotion - especially the real champion himself and his team of coaches.

After winning the title at the UFC 260 PPV (Pay-Per-View) in late March, Francis N'Gannou finally returned home to Cameroon to celebrate his UFC championship title with his friends and family. After returning to the US to resume training in anticipation of his first title defence (presumably later this year). The UFC desperately wanted N'Gannou to defend his title against long-time heavyweight journeyman Derrick "The Black Beast" Lewis in Houston, Texas for the UFC 265 PPV main event. N'Gannou refused to defend his title only weeks after returning to training, and instead reportedly agreed with the promotion to fight a month later in September. But the UFC had different plans. They've instead created an interim heavyweight championship only five months after N'Gannou won the title via brutal knockout. The bout to decide who will win the interim belt will be the aforementioned budget contender Derrick "The Black Beast" Lewis fighting against the completely undeserving and unqualified prospect Ciryl "Bon Gamin" Gane, who fought only last week (and not very excitingly, as is often his style).

Interim titles are typically created if the champion is indisposed due to an injury or an illness, and must take a year or more off. So why is the promotion forcing an incredibly early interim championship, despite many in the MMA community (and the UFC company) openly hating interim titles?

It's simple. UFC 265 takes place at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Fan-favourite journeyman Derrick "The Black Beast" Lewis is a native of Houston, Texas. And, without N'Gannou's title fight as the main event, the co-main event fight between Women's MMA GOAT Amanda "The Lioness" Nunes and top bantamweight contender Juliana Pena would probably be the new main event of the card. Simply put the UFC wants to capitalise on the hometown hero Derrick Lewis, while they also don't trust the Amanda Nunes and Juliana Pena fight to sell enough seats in Texas or Pay-Per-Views for their bottom line.

This move by the UFC appears (to me) to be an incredibly blatant and transparent cash-grab. Another factor complicating this heated argument is that real heavyweight champion Francis N'Gannou's manager Marquel Martin - who Dana called "FULL OF SHIT!!!" and "incompetent" in an Instagram comment tirade - works for the major talent agency 'CAA' (Creative Artists Agency), which is a major competitor to the UFC's 'Endeavor' parent company.

Among the numerous fellow fighters that condemned this move was the UFC Women's Featherweight contender Megan Anderson who said "making an interim heavyweight title fight makes absolutely no sense". N'Gannou's coach at top MMA gym Xtreme Couture Eric Nicksick also cryptically commented: "If you only knew half the story... But you see how they'll do you??". Top MMA journalist Ariel Helwan, who has some major fighter contacts, has claimed that the UFC's Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell is to blame. "Regarding today's interim news, you'd be shocked how often they threaten this &/or how often they threaten to strip," he said. "And while most of the criticism has been directed towards Dana White - he is the face after all - it's really been the M.O. of Hunter Campbell since he took over." Helwani went on to state that he "can think of at least five occasions [the UFC] threatened to strip Stipe. Never went through with it, but he got it worse than anyone."

When Stipe Miocic initially fought and beat Francis N'Gannou back UFC 220 in 2018 he actually refused the traditional belt wrapping from then UFC president Dana White that most champions get. After winning that first fight Miocic grabbed the heavyweight belt off of Dana White (who was standing by solely to wrap the belt), and he instead handed the belt to his coach Marcus Marinelli. At the post-fight press conference, Miocic explained why he wanted the belt from his coach specifically, responding to a media question in his typical laconic manner that "[Marinelli] respects me and I respect him. End of story". When the question of if he thought Dana White respected him, Miocic responded bluntly: "I don't know and I don't really care."

These title shenanigans come as a second lawsuit was recently filed against the UFC regarding their chokehold on the sport and its' athletes. Nothing is substantially different about this second lawsuit, except that it extends from the first lawsuit's cutoff date in 2017 to the present day. Rejecting recently instated, incredibly deserving and admirable champions (Francis N'Gannou, as I've detailed before, is one of the best human beings alive) is not a good look from an already ethically compromised company.

Next week we'll delve into the behemoth that is UFC 264: Poirier vs. McGregor 3. Until then, I don't know, develop a vintage fight addiction like me? Or do something productive with your time. Totally up to you.