Francis Ngannou refuses rematch with Derrick Lewis for UFC 263, says website

F. Ngannou (left) and D. Lewis (right) faced each other for the first time in 2018, with the North American winning on points. Photo: SUPER FIGHTS montage

New heavyweight champion (up to 120,2kg) of Ultimate, Francis Ngannou is not willing to return to the octagon in the first half of 2021. According to 'ESPN', the French-Cameroonian turned down a proposal to promote a rematch against Derrick Lewis No. UFC 263, which takes place on June 12th. The agreement came up against the preparation time of the 'giant', which hit Stipe Miocic at the end of March.

See too

McGregor confirms date for trilogy with Poirier and exudes optimism about new fight

Ultimate meets Belal Muhammad and athlete faces Demian Maia at UFC 263

Jon Jones' trainer bets on bold outcome in fight against Ngannou

“The UFC tried to promote Francis Ngannou against Derrick Lewis on June 12, according to sources. However, preparation time doesn't help Ngannou. Apparently, it doesn't look like the UFC will wait for Jon Jones”, wrote the agency's reporter, Ariel Helwani, in his account on 'Twitter'.

PUBLICITY:

Considered two great highlights in the recent history of heavyweights in Ultimate, Francis and Derrick are old acquaintances. The 'giants' exchanged forces in 2018, in one of the most criticized fights of that season.

In the first meeting, the athletes lacked combativeness. Known for their knockout power, the heavyweights produced little and the match ended up being decided by the judges' decision, who unanimously declared Lewis the winner.

PUBLICITY:

Current number two in the group's ranking, Derrick had his name considered as Ngannou's first challenger shortly after the UFC 260. At the press conference, the president of Ultimate, Dana White, stated that the North American was a good name, and could even take the lead Jon Jones, who, months ago, had been confirmed as the opponent of the winner between Francis and Miocic.

If Derrick, in fact, wins the challenger spot, the champion will have the opportunity to erase the bad impression of the first clash. Now, with the belt, the French-Cameroonian will be able to prove that he has evolved and displace one of his three tormentors in his career.

PUBLICITY:

The UFC board's idea of promoting a rematch between the 'giants' is also due to Lewis' good form. The athlete comes from four consecutive victories and has not lost since the knockout suffered against junior gypsy, in March 2019.

As the 'new face' of the heavyweight division, Francis also doesn't disappoint when it comes to 'moment'. Leader of the division, the fighter has five devastating knockouts in a row, including names like Cigano himself, Cain Velazquez and of course the former champion, Stipe Miocic.

UFC has kicked the tires on Francis Ngannou x Derrick Lewis on June 12, sources say. However the timing doesn't work for Ngannou (and I don't blame him; he just won the belt).

Bigger story here, IMO, is, at least for now, they don't seem keen on waiting around for Jones.

- Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) April 5, 2021

PUBLICITY:

And Jon Jones?

In preparation for his highly anticipated heavyweight debut, Jon Jones continues in the 'Cold War' with Ultimate. The legend's relationship at light heavyweight (up to 93kg.) was shaken after Dana White teased 'Bones' publicly – after the UFC 260 -, suggesting that the American should fear the brute strength of Ngannou, who had just run over one of the best heavyweights of all time.

Angry with Ultimate, Jon, who had received confirmation that he would face the winner of the dispute, began to publicly attack the company. The fighter also demanded that more money be offered for the superfight and the negotiations ended up going cold.

Still in the post-UFC 260, White revealed that the name of Derrick Lewis is viewed favorably by the company for a possible challenge to Ngannou. Thus, the soap opera 'Jones nos heavies' has been gaining new chapters week by week.