Francis Ngannou’s recent return to mixed martial arts (MMA) after his departure from the UFC has done little to sway Dana White’s opinion on the fighter’s decision to leave the promotion. Following Ngannou’s impressive victory over Renan Ferreira at PFL: Battle of the Giants, White was asked about his impressions of the fight during a post-event press conference for Power Slap 9 on Thursday.
White, the UFC president, was quick to critique Ngannou’s choices, laughing as he remarked, “(His performance) was better than Donn Davis’ – way better.” However, his laughter masked a serious assertion: “Listen, man, I’m going to tell you what I think about Francis: Francis is all about the money. He left because he knew if he fought Jon Jones and didn’t win, it would hurt his chances of making the money he wanted to make.”
White admitted that Ngannou had a more lucrative deal on the table had he chosen to stay with the UFC, claiming, “I think I told this story a million times. They can deny it all they want. Why the f*ck would I lie? What do I care? It doesn’t matter to me one way or the other.” This statement reflects White’s ongoing frustration with Ngannou’s choices and the way they impact UFC’s public image.
“I was going to cut Francis when he lost two in a row,” White admitted. “Somebody around here begged me not to do it. It wouldn’t have mattered to me one way or the other. There’s a much deeper story to this whole thing. He would’ve made more money if he would’ve stayed in the UFC. He didn’t want to fight Jon Jones. That’s a fact, my friend. We’re moving on.”
Ngannou Returns To MMA
Ngannou’s exit from the UFC was unprecedented; he vacated the heavyweight title to explore free agency, subsequently competing in high-profile boxing matches against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. His MMA comeback came this past Saturday in Saudi Arabia, where he faced Ferreira. Ngannou won the fight by unanimous decision, showcasing his striking power and tactical prowess, which has led some analysts to speculate about his potential impact on the PFL’s heavyweight division.
After the fight, Ngannou expressed satisfaction with his performance, saying, “I’m grateful for the opportunity to compete again and show my skills. I believe this is just the beginning of what I can achieve outside the UFC.” However, he has also continued to contest White’s claims about the financial benefits of staying in the UFC, stating, “I’d be happy to share the numbers if necessary. I know my worth, and I made the decision that was best for my career.”
