I remember my interim title battle versus Jairzinho … oh wait & #x 1f644;.

I remember my interim title battle versus Jairzinho … oh wait & #x 1f644;.
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) June 28, 2021.

Nothing has been right here https://t.co/SIeM9uEfBG.
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) June 28, 2021.

Francis Ngannou does not seem pleased with the UFCs choice to reserve an interim title battle in the heavyweight division.
After the promo supposedly hit an impasse at finalizing a date for Ngannous (16-3 MMA, 11-2 UFC) very first title defense, it opted to move on and put together an interim championship bout in between Derrick Lewis (25-7 MMA, 16-5 UFC) and Ciryl Gane (9-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) at UFC 265 on Aug. 7.
Ngannous management told ESPN it was shocked by the fight thinking about “The Predator” is just 3 months eliminated from winning the belt from Stipe Miocic. Soon afterwards, Ngannou took to social media and kept in mind the companys unevenness when it pertains to handling these situations, pointing to how he mustve got his own interim title battle versus Jairzinho Rozenstruik at UFC 249 in May 2020 after then-champ Miocic had been out of action for 9 months (through Twitter):.

Nothing has been right here.
Its been a remarkable shift for the heavyweight department from where things stood just a few months ago. Coming out of Ngannous knockout win over Miocic in their rematch at UFC 260 in March, all indications pointed to a superfight with Jon Jones being the next relocation.
Negotiations with Jones quickly deteriorated, though, and the UFC brass shifted to Lewis as the first opposition for Ngannou.
Fast-forward to today day, and now neither Ngannou nor Jones will be associated with the next title bout at heavyweight.
Ngannou wasnt the only one surprised by the decision. Have a look at how some others in the MMA community responded to the Lewis vs. Gane news.

2 slaps in the face here:.
One to Francis Ngannou, for apparent factors. An interim belt ALREADY? & #x 1f44b; & #x 1f3fd;.
The other to Amanda Nunes, for making an interim title fight the centerpiece over a real title battle including a GOAT. & #x 1f44b; & #x 1f3fd; https://t.co/EuGMn5bqb2.
— Simon Samano (@SJSamano) June 28, 2021.

Winner of this will become the 5th interim UFC heavyweight titleholder.
Top of this division releasing significant late-2008 vibes right now with roadblocks beyond the cage including the champ and crucial players. https://t.co/oxDZdFDVCT.
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohnMMA) June 28, 2021.

Intend to see you @SHOsports in the future champ, you will love the difference in company culture and the method the athletes are dealt with.
— CrisCyborg.Com (@criscyborg) June 28, 2021.

If you only understood half the story … But you see how theyll do you ??
— Eric Nicksick (@Eric_XCMMA) June 28, 2021.

Ngannou simply battled three months earlier, winning the UFC heavyweight title after patiently awaiting the close of the Miocic vs. DC trilogy. Now suddenly he has to rush back in early August after taking a well-deserved trip to check out family in Cameroon? Doesnt appear right.
— Marc Raimondi (@marc_raimondi) June 28, 2021.

Interestingly enough, the UFC 265 interim heavyweight competitors (Lewis and Gane) are represented by the former supervisors of Jon Jones (First Round Management) and Francis Ngannou (Fernand Lopez).
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) June 28, 2021.

Ciryl Gane vs. Derrick Lewis for the interim belt & #x 1f62c; & #x 1f525; & #x 1f600;. I knew Gane was going to get something big soon!
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) June 28, 2021.

One to Francis Ngannou, for obvious reasons. An interim belt ALREADY? & #x 1f44b; & #x 1f3fd;.
Ngannou simply fought 3 months back, winning the UFC heavyweight title after patiently waiting for the close of the Miocic vs. DC trilogy. Now all of an abrupt he has to rush back in early August after taking a well-deserved trip to visit family in Cameroon?