LAS VEGAS—Francis Ngannou is no longer the UFC's heavyweight champion.
UFC president Dana White announced Saturday that the promotion was unable to come to terms with Ngannou for a new contract and has instead elected to release him from the promotion. With the reigning champion departing, the organization has now booked former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and former interim heavyweight titleholder Ciryl Gane for the main event of UFC 285 with the UFC heavyweight title on the line.
"We've been working on a new agreement with Francis for like two years now, and we had gotten to a point where he was going to fight Jon Jones, many who believe, including me, that he's the best of all time, for the heavyweight championship," White said following Saturday's UFC Fight Night 217 event.