Daniel Cormier apologizes to Francis Ngannou, 'insanely happy for him' to box Tyson Fury

UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier is congratulating Francis Ngannou on landing the Tyson Fury boxing match he was after.

Many people, including Cormier, questioned Ngannou’s decision to part ways with the UFC. Ngannou opted not to re-sign with the UFC after fighting out his contract, reportedly turning down an offer that would have made him the highest paid heavyweight in the company’s history. During Ngannou’s negotiation period, Cormier said he should just “bite the bullet” and return to the UFC.

Instead, Ngannou signed with PFL, which gave him equity and a leadership role within the promotion, as well as the flexibility to box. Now Ngannou is set to face Fury in a 10-round heavyweight boxing match Oct. 28 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – even after Dana White tried to steal his thunder by making a UFC fight between Fury and Jon Jones. And Cormier lauds Ngannou for securing the mega fight.

“First off, I’m sorry, Francis,” Cormier said on his ESPN show “DC & RC.” “I want to fumble your bag, too, Francis. Can I ask you a question? Do you have to be a little bit naive to go out in that world like that and know your value to the point that you will even, when it looked dark, to stand on your loyal and go, ‘It’ll happen for me.’

“Francis had just enough of that, and now he finds himself – he’s going to make more money than he ever could have imagined making in his entire life because, guess what? They’re fighting in Saudi Arabia, which, somehow, literally just bought the PGA. … Francis and Tyson Fury are going to make so much money, it’s crazy.”

By a large margin, Ngannou will make the most money he’s ever made in his career boxing Fury than he ever did for a UFC fight, and Cormier is happy to see him earn a big bag.

“It’s a crazy, crazy turn of events for Francis Ngannou, but we are both insanely happy for him,” Cormier continued. “I want to be wrong in this situation. I’m happy that he’s getting paid in that way.”