UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has revealed that he will receive half of his UFC 270 fight purse in Bitcoin.
It’s no secret Francis Ngannou and the UFC have been in the midst of some intense contract negotiations. However, “The Predator” will be doubling down on the crypto-based currency when he is tasked with facing perhaps his toughest test to date.
This Saturday, Ngannou will meet a former training partner from France. The heavyweight champion faces the tricky Ciryl Gane who has remained unbeaten during his rise up the UFC ranks. Following Ngannou’s vengeful performance against Stipe Miocic, the Cameroonian titan finally captured undisputed gold by separating the former 2X heavyweight champ’s consciousness in the second round.
Francis Ngannou & Cryptocurrency Join Forces
Recently, Ngannou partnered with CashApp to help facilitate the fight purse transaction into Bitcoin. Ngannou announced on Instagram that he will also be giving away $300,000 worth of Bitcoin which will be doled out through his Twitter and Instagram accounts.
“I believe bitcoin can empower people everywhere, no matter who you are or where you live.
That’s why I’m excited to partner with @CashApp to take half my #UFC270 purse in bitcoin. I want to make bitcoin more accessible to my fans, so I’m giving out $300K in bitcoin now too! Follow @CashApp, then drop your $cashtag with #PaidInBitcoin for a chance to own some bitcoin of your own!” Francis Ngannou shared on Tuesday.
Cryptocurrency is steadily making its way into various financial sectors. Digital currency is a collection of binary data used for individual exchange. Individual coin ownership is presented on a digital ledger. By securing transactional records with Bitcoin and other currencies, cryptography is used to secure and transfer transactional records as well as monitor the creation of new Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies.
Recently, Kevin Lee signed to EAGLE FC and announced that he would also be receiving his payment in Bitcoin. The trend appears to be growing and it’s exciting to see fighters getting new opportunities to invest their earnings.
Francis Ngannou will receive half of his #UFC270 payout in Bitcoin in a partnership with cash app
The predator will also be giving away 300k in Bitcoin to fans on his IG and Twitter in a partnership with cash app#UFC pic.twitter.com/L3K5nHTBN9
— All Access MMA (@AllAccessMMA247) January 18, 2022
At 10-0, Gane presents a unique and puzzling challenge for Ngannou. Gane’s ability to enter and exit during striking exchanges is calculated and remains one of the primary reasons why no fighter has yet to solve the mystery that is “Bon Gamin”. The Frenchman who originated in Muay Thai took his services to MMA and trained alongside Ngannou’s former coach Fernand Lopez. After capturing interim gold against Houston’s Derrick Lewis, it was clear that the two heavyweight champions were destined to meet.
In addition to the heavyweight unification bout, a rubber match is in order for flyweight champion Brandon Moreno. The first-ever Mexican-born champion will look to close the chapter with former titleholder Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 270 this weekend in Anaheim, CA.
Given the heat behind both title bouts, the card promises to be a wild one. With Francis Ngannou being paid in cryptocurrency, there is a definite possibility that these types of transactions become the new normal in the coming years.
What do you make of Francis Ngannou accepting half of his purse in Bitcoin?
