The UFC tried to book an undisputed title fight between defending champion Francis Ngannou and Lewis in June and then targeted it again for UFC 265 on Aug.
“This comes as a complete shock,” Ngannou’s agent, Marquel Martin, told ESPN.
“Francis is just now returning to the States to begin training, and he just won the title three months ago.
Ngannou later took to social media, referencing his desire last year for the UFC to make an interim title fight in May 2020 between him and Jairzinho Rozenstruik as the champion at the time, Miocic, was holding up the division due to health issues and training circumstances related to COVID-19.
According to Martin, there was some discussion about a potential title fight in September, but the UFC never officially offered a September date and Ngannou never fully committed to one either.
Ngannou has been vocal about the fact that he’d like to defend his title against Jon Jones next.