Dana White, the president of the UFC, criticized former heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, labeling him a “bad guy.” Ngannou departed from the UFC in 2023 and has since competed in PFL, MVP MMA, and professional boxing.
Although 40 years old and no longer very young, Ngannou remains a powerful knockout artist and someone UFC fans are eager to see compete against top heavyweights inside the Octagon. However, White has no desire to bring Ngannou back, stating clearly that the UFC is done with him.
In an interview with Nightcap, White expressed his refusal to work with Ngannou again, comparing him to Oscar De La Hoya and emphasizing his reluctance to do business with “bad guys.”
Ngannou most recently appeared on an MVP MMA event aired on Netflix in May, where he delivered a first-round knockout against Philipe Lins. Since 2018, he has won eight consecutive MMA fights, including notable victories over Ciryl Gane, Stipe Miocic, and Curtis Blaydes. He has also tried his hand at professional boxing twice, suffering a disputed split decision loss to Tyson Fury and a brutal knockout at the hands of Anthony Joshua.
While the UFC shows no interest in re-signing Ngannou, other MMA organizations might still want him due to his star power and exciting fighting style. MVP MMA or PFL could be future options, or he might pursue additional boxing matches to secure a lucrative payday. Regardless, Ngannou’s time with the UFC appears to be over.
Fan Take: This development is significant for fight fans because it confirms that one of the sport’s most electrifying heavyweights won’t be returning to the UFC, potentially reshaping the heavyweight division. It also highlights ongoing tensions between fighters and promotion leadership, which could influence contract negotiations and fighter movement across organizations in the future.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
