UFC CEO Dana White recently opened up about a heated incident with former heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, highlighting the ongoing tensions between the two since Ngannou’s departure from the UFC earlier this year. Once allies within the promotion, their relationship has soured over the past five years, culminating in Ngannou signing with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) and ramping up his criticisms of White and the UFC’s treatment of its fighters.
Ngannou has claimed the UFC has consistently undervalued its fighters, a sentiment he expressed during his contentious contract negotiations with the organization. Since parting ways with the UFC, he has not hesitated to voice his discontent, further deepening the divide between him and White.
During a recent appearance on the FLAGRANT podcast, White detailed a particularly tense moment that illustrated the deterioration of their relationship. He recounted a time when Ngannou confronted him in his office, upset over not receiving a $50,000 performance bonus after a fight. White explained how the conversation escalated quickly, with Ngannou allegedly grabbing him by the shirt and pushing him back into the office.
White expressed his displeasure with Ngannou’s behavior, stating, “I could see it in this guy’s face, in his eyes, and the way he’s acting, who this guy really f—– is.” The altercation did not stop with White; Ngannou reportedly also initiated a similar confrontation with another UFC executive, Hunter Campbell, further painting a picture of escalating tensions within the company.
The narrative between White and Ngannou illustrates the complexities of relationships in professional sports, particularly in a high-stakes environment like the UFC. Despite the rocky past, both have continued to pursue their careers, highlighting their resilience in navigating professional rivalries. As Ngannou forges ahead with his new chapter in the PFL, fans are left to speculate about the future of these two influential figures in the world of combat sports.