Francis Could Become MMA’s Biggest Villain

Wrestling

Year2026

Duration8m

Watch Now

7.1

Francis Ngannou may have a bigger opportunity outside the cage than inside it. Chael breaks down why Francis should lean fully into the role of MMA’s “real” heavyweight champion — and why the smartest move might be becoming the villain. It starts with a simple idea: the greatest fighters in combat sports history didn’t wait for people to crown them. They crowned themselves. Using Muhammad Ali and Floyd Mayweather as examples, Chael explains how repetition, confidence, and marketing can shape legacy just as much as wins and losses. Francis already has the aura, the size, and the presence. The question is whether he’s willing to say the part out loud. Should Francis walk out claiming he’s the true heavyweight champion? Should he openly call out Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall? Should he embrace the criticism and become the most obnoxious man in heavyweight MMA? Chael thinks there may be real power in that strategy. Because sometimes the most effective thing a fighter can do… is make people angry. Watch more breakdowns and fight analysis from Chael Sonnen. #UFC #MMA #FrancisNgannou #JonJones #TomAspinall #ChaelSonnen 0:00 Greatest boxer experiment 1:28 Why Muhammad Ali became “the greatest” 3:15 Floyd Mayweather copied the formula 4:18 Chael used it in MMA too 5:24 Francis Ngannou enters the conversation 6:41 The “lineal champion” opportunity 8:12 Why the claim would annoy people 9:46 The Mike Van Arsdale story 11:15 Francis already has the aura 12:26 Call out Jones and Aspinall 13:34 Why Francis should turn heel Bad Guy Inc merch now available at Click here to subscribe: Follow me on IG: Follow me on Twitter: Follow me on Threads