Why is Francis Ngannou not fighting for the title?

Learn about why an interim title was implemented ahead of UFC 265.

In an unexpected turn of events, ESPN’s Brett Okamoto reported that Francis Ngannou would not be defending his UFC heavyweight championship against Derrick Lewis, Jon Jones, or anyone on August 7.

This news comes just three months after Ngannou became the new heavyweight champion, as he knocked out Stipe Miocic at UFC 260 while avenging his original loss in the process. Many media members believed that Ngannou would face the former light heavyweight champion, Jones, or Lewis for his first title defense, but it appears that it will have to wait.

Why is Derrick Lewis vs. Ciryl Gane for the interim title?

In an Instagram post from ESPN MMA, more context was revealed regarding White’s decision to book Lewis vs. Gane for an interim heavyweight title while Ngannou still remains sidelined.

“UFC is adding an interim heavyweight title fight between Derrick Lewis and Ciryl Gane to UFC 265 on Aug. 7,” White told Okamoto. “The promotion tried to book Lewis against Francis Ngannou, but Ngannou informed them he wouldn’t be ready to defend his title by August.”

While it is unclear as to why Ngannou wouldn’t be ready, it creates a major shake-up in the heavyweight division after Gane’s decision win against Alexander Volkov at UFC Vegas 30. An interim title fight in the heavyweight division is, to say the least, infrequent, and could wind up delaying Ngannou’s return even longer depending on how the fight plays out.

Lewis put himself right back into position for a title shot after losing to Daniel Cormier at UFC 230. Since the loss, Lewis has won four of his last five bouts, recently knocking out Curtis Blaydes in Feburary.