In his last three fights, once and future Next Big Thing Francis Ngannou defeated Curtis Blaydes, Cain Velasquez, and Junior Dos Santos in an average of 47 seconds. The last win appeared to secure a title shot, but when Stipe Miocic regained his title in the rematch vs. Daniel Cormier, the UFC decided to go with a trilogy fight.

Then when JDS pulled out of a fight at vs. Alexander Volkov at UFC on ESPN+ 21 on 11/9 in Moscow, with a ghastly case of cellulitis on his leg, Ngannou expressed a degree of interest.

https://twitter.com/francis_ngannou/status/1186668257425518593

Then the fight went to Greg Hardy, and Ngannou tweeted again.

https://twitter.com/francis_ngannou/status/1186747228917915648

In a recent interview with TMZ Sports, ‘The Predator’ detailed what happened.

Obviously, two days ago they called my manager if I wanted to fight, said Ngannou, as transcribed by Jed Meshew for MMA Fighting. Like, when? Of course, I want to fight. Where and when, with who? ‘In 18 days.’ Really? For what purpose? What is the goal for this fight because it’s a step down for me. We’re talking about what, a title shot guarantee, a contract renegotiation, what? ‘No, we’re not talking about that. Just a fight.’ So we think about it and we’re like, what is the purpose to risk to go to the fight without a training camp because it’s just 18 days. This fight was announced maybe two months ago.

“We prefer, okay let’s put the fight, Alexander Volkov and I in Las Vegas, which is like, in almost eight weeks, seven to eight weeks. That would make more sense. By then I’ll have a good training camp, appropriate training camp for the fight.

I’m just going crazy. I took a quick trip to Hawaii. It wasn’t planned but I was just out there in Vegas going crazy, trying to have a fight. I do this for living. I do this to put food on the table for me and to provide to my family. I’ve been asking for a fight since my last fight. I was still inside the octagon when I asked Dana face to face, ‘Do I get a title shot?’ He said let’s see how it plays out in August. Then after August I didn’t have news, trying to find out what happens, what’s next. Even more than two months after August, I still don’t have a fight.

I just want the UFC to pay me some respect and for the UFC to give me a damn fight. That’s what I’m asking for. I was expecting to have a fight by December to make my Christmas and New Year for my family. Hey man, I need a fight. I need to make money.

Another potential fight for Ngannou is a superfight vs. Jon Jones, but the ‘The Predator’ doesn’t anticipate that happening soon.

I will say the same thing that he said – it’s inevitable if Jon Jones goes to heavyweight, said Ngannou. I’m going to fight him. But once again, this fight is not just some superfight, it’s not just a fight that you take it because you’re desperate and have to fight. This fight has to put a lot of things together.

And so Francis Ngannou, who may well be the Next Big Thing, still doesn’t have a fight.