Former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo spoke out about Francis Ngannou, who left the promotion in hopes of getting better deals as a free agent.
With all humbleness, I think Ngannou shot himself in the foot. He had everything to sign a great contract, the biggest in heavyweight, but this desire to be a boxing champion or to fight in boxing… People see the top of the boxing pyramid getting paid big numbers but forget that the lower part is paid so little. I think the UFC has bigger salaries than boxing. I see Ngannou tripping about a fight with Tyson Fury, a champion, who heavyweights aim at but don’t come anywhere near. It’s like saying I wanna play soccer because they get paid million but forget only five percent gets paid millions, the rest make way below that.
Jose Aldo
"People say that the UFC doesn’t pay that well, but it does. That’s why it’s the biggest organization. You can make money like [big] boxers can.,” Aldo said on this week’s episode of the Trocação Franca podcast.
Ngannou, 36, had his last fight in January 2022 at UFC 270, defeating Ciryl Gane by unanimous decision. Francis faced Stipe Miocic at UFC 260 in March 2021. Ngannou won by TKO in the second round. He has 17 wins and three losses under his belt.