Controversies seem to pop up faster than knockout punches in the UFC. The latest uproar involves a trio of big names: Dana White, Francis Ngannou, and Israel Adesanya. It all started at UFC 305, where Adesanya made a bold callout that set tongues wagging.
Adesanya, never one to mince words, accused the UFC of trying to erase Francis Ngannou’s legacy. He pointed out that Ngannou’s name had been conspicuously absent from promotional videos. As such, Dana White, when questioned about it at a recent press conference, seemed genuinely perplexed.
“Everyone sitting in here, including our head of PR, doesn’t know about it. If that was true and that was done, and it was something that we produced, then someday someone in the company made the decision. And if I did it, I would say, ‘I fu**ing did it, and this is why I did.’ But I don’t know anything about it,” said White at the recent DWCS press conference.
This controversy has its roots in Ngannou’s dramatic departure from the UFC. The former heavyweight champion wanted more flexibility in his contract. However, White accused Ngannou of ducking a fight with Jon Jones. It was a messy breakup, to say the least.
Since then, the relationship between White and Ngannou has been about as warm as a Siberian winter. Adesanya’s callout has reignited this simmering tension. It’s forced the UFC, and White in particular, to address an issue they’d probably rather forget.
Francis Ngannou Talks About Signing With PFL After Bad Break With UFC
In 2023, Francis Ngannou revealed his next move in mixed martial arts. He signed with the Professional Fighters League (PFL), surprising many fans and pundits.
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The Cameroonian fighter’s departure from the UFC was anything but smooth. There were contract disputes, public disagreements, and plenty of drama. In a YouTube video, Ngannou addressed the criticism head-on. Some had accused him of “fumbling the bag” by leaving the UFC.
“Some of you might have a lot of questions, for example, ‘Did I fumble the bag?’ ‘Did I do a wrong business decision?’ But let me tell you what, this is the best business decision I have ever done,” said Ngannou.
Ngannou’s contract includes some unique perks. He’s free to pursue boxing opportunities, which have been his long-time dream. Ngannou also negotiated a $2 million guarantee for his opponents. For now, fans can look forward to seeing “The Predator” back in action soon. He is set to face Renan Ferreira in his first-ever PFL fight.
