Francis Ngannou has sensationally claimed the UFC threatened to sue him for alleged talks with Jake Paul's team.
Ngannou was hit with an email as he arrived at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, for UFC 270 last Saturday.
Before entering the Octagon to face Ciryl Gane, the 35-year-old was told by his coach and manager that the promotion was threatening to sue over supposed discussions with Paul's business partner, Nakisa Bidarian, over potential boxing opportunities.
He revealed his manager, Marquel Martin, received an email from the UFC about a lawsuit.
Speaking to Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, Ngannou explained: "Going into this fight, going into the arena, I put on my suit and I walked into the room waiting for my manager and my coach they were like, 'Wow!'"
He added: "And I asked them what was going on and they told me that they just received an email from the UFC saying they were going to sue him for talking to this guy named Nakisa.
"So, I asked who this guy was, and they said they didn’t know him too much, but that he was from Jake Paul’s team.
"I asked if it was the promoter and they said, 'No.' But, once again I don’t know. It doesn’t look like they want to talk to me anymore."
Ngannou's contract dispute with the UFC dominated the build-up to his unification bout at UFC 270.
The sport of boxing is one of the many reasons behind his row with Dana White and Co.
'The Predator' has been linked with a boxing bout against Tyson Fury, who continued to call for a showdown following the UFC star's impressive victory over Gane.
Will Ngannou remain in the UFC or will he box Fury? Watch this space.
Featured Image Credit: Francis Ngannou/PATopics: Jake Paul, Francis Ngannou, UFC, Boxing
Nasir Jabbar