Speaking exclusively to TheMacLife, UFC boss Dana White has reiterated that he remains happy with his decision to part ways with former heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.
Ngannou exited the UFC in early 2024 to ink a record-breaking deal with the PFL, a situation which arose after Ngannou was unable to agree terms on an extension with the UFC — reportedly over issues such as Ngannou’s desire to compete in professional boxing. More recently, White had spoken of what he referred to a as a “physical altercation” with the Cameroonian which occurred during the time period of those negotiations — something that Ngannou did not feel the need to elaborate on when asked by Uncrowned.
However, in a near 20-minute long sitdown with TheMacLife White elaborated on the nature of that altercation, as well as reiterated that he is more than happy to be out of the Francis Ngannou business.
“Let me be clear on something, too, when I say the physicality,” White said to Oscar Willis. “It’s not like Francis Ngannou came in here and threatened us or did anything like that. But as men, everybody who is a man knows there’s these situations with, you know, we’re in there and he’s telling me that ‘I deserve the $50,000. I want the $50,000.’ I said, ‘You’re not getting it.’
“I’m in there with them for however long we’re talking and I’m like, I’m done. I had another meeting. And this guy just used to walk around, wander around UFC headquarters like this was his house. This guy literally spent the whole day here. Breakfast, lunch, f*cking dinner.
“So I started to walk out and he puts his hand on my chest, he says, ‘We’re not done talking yet.’ And I said, ‘Oh, we’re fucking done talking.’ It’s not like Francis Ngannou came in here and was, like, physically. That’s what went down. I tell you guys all the time, we’re in the f*cking fight business. Shit happens.”
White also added that he has little desire to welcome Ngannou back to the UFC, even after the former champ stated recently that his deal with the PFL appears to be reaching its conclusion.
“There was nothing that made me happier than throwing that guy over to the f*cking PFL,” White stated. “Let me tell you what, if we let guys go, feel bad for the f*cking company that gets them. We let them go for a f*cking reason. I don’t have to let anybody go. I don’t want to be in business with guys that I don’t like and that I don’t think are good guys.
“And when you talk about good guys and bad guys, I’m in the fight business. Shit happens and I’m pretty lenient when it comes to tough guy shit. I’m not lenient with bad guy shit.”
