UFC Can't Erase Ngannou's Legacy, Says Adesanya

Israel Adesanya has defended former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, insisting that the promotion cannot erase his legacy after appearing to distance itself from the Cameroonian fighter.

Ngannou left the UFC in 2023 and subsequently joined the Professional Fighters League (PFL). In a video released last week, the UFC edited out Ngannou's name when Adesanya referred to himself, Ngannou and Kamaru Usman, all former UFC champions, as the "three African kings." Adesanya made the remark ahead of his fight against South African middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis at UFC 305 in Perth, Australia.

"You can't erase Francis' legacy in the UFC, it's part of what we've done. I know he fights for the PFL now but it's history - trying not to talk about it is silly," said Adesanya. "I know there's this competition between other promotions and the UFC but you can never erase history - the streets will always remember. It's just a lot of chest puffing. The UFC are smart people, this is just business in the UFC. They'll rectify it eventually."

Ngannou, 37, was stripped of his UFC heavyweight title upon his departure from the organisation last year, citing a "lack of freedom" as the reason for his inability to agree on a new contract. Since then, he has faced and lost to British boxing heavyweights Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in high-profile bouts. He is scheduled to make his PFL debut against Renan Ferreira on 19 October.

Adesanya's comments come amidst a period of heightened competition between the UFC and other mixed martial arts promotions, particularly the PFL. While the UFC remains the dominant force in the sport, the rise of rival promotions has created a more competitive landscape. The UFC's attempt to downplay Ngannou's legacy, however, suggests that the promotion is keen to protect its own brand and dominance, even if it means erasing the achievements of a former champion.