The title match between Jon Jones and Ciryl Gane has been scheduled, and the UFC has released Ngannou.
On March 4, at UFC 285, Jon Jones, probably the best fighter of all time, will face Ciryl Gane for the heavyweight title, according to UFC president Dana White.
The announcement came after Francis Ngannou, the UFC's former heavyweight champion, was unable to reach a settlement.
Since defending his light heavyweight title against Dominick Reyes in February 2020, this will be Jones' first outing in the Octagon.
Ngannou and the UFC negotiated a new contract for the better part of two years without being able to reach an agreement.
Brock Lesnar, who retired in 2017, is still the highest-paid heavyweight in UFC history, according to White.
Ngannou did not answer ESPN's calls for comment right away.