Dana White catches heat for snubbing Francis Ngannou with Zack Snyder Hollywood project: “Francis story has Oscar potential”

The UFC is the top MMA promotion, attracting elite fighters worldwide and boasting the largest fan base in the sport. Dana White, always seeking innovation, recently collaborated with acclaimed filmmaker Zack Snyder to bring fresh ideas to the organization. This partnership aims to enhance the UFC’s entertainment value by providing fans with a thrilling movie about UFC fighters. 

Zack Snyder is well known for directing Man of Steel, Justice League, and 300 and remains an absolute legend in Hollywood filmmaking. However, he won’t be directing a movie about superheroes this time, but real-life MMA fighters who risk their lives when stepping inside the octagon. Apart from the collaboration between Snyder and White, with Saudi promoter Turki Alalshikh playing a key role in securing the deal.

Proud to announce BRAWLER—a new fight film coming to life Partnering with the great director Zack Snyder and UFC to tell a story of struggle, sacrifice, and the road to UFC glory With The Ring Magazine behind it, this is more than a movie, it’s a legacy in the making.

Turki Alalshikh via X

The movie will depict a young fighter’s journey to the UFC, overcoming adversity while chasing his dream of becoming a champion. Coming from the tough streets of Los Angeles, he will fight through hardships, personal struggles, and fierce competition to achieve his ultimate goal. This story mirrors the real-life experiences of many UFC fighters who overcame obstacles to find success inside the Octagon.

Proud to announce BRAWLER—a new fight film coming to life 🎬🥊

Partnering with the great director Zack Snyder and UFC to tell a story of struggle, sacrifice, and the road to UFC glory

With The Ring Magazine behind it, this is more than a movie, it’s a legacy in the making 🔥 pic.twitter.com/khLiF7lJ1V

— TURKI ALALSHIKH (@Turki_alalshikh) March 31, 2025

Zack Snyder is set to direct a UFC movie.

• Dana White will produce with the UFC with Turki Alashikh also producing

• Follows a young fighter rising from the rough streets of LA to get a shot at a UFC championship pic.twitter.com/kEQg6sncAE

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) March 31, 2025

Many fight fans noticed similarities between this story and Francis Ngannou’s journey from poverty to becoming the most feared heavyweight champion. Ngannou’s rise from homelessness to UFC gold is legendary, making fans upset that the UFC didn’t center BRAWLER around his inspiring story. Frustrated supporters expressed their disappointment online, criticizing White for overlooking Ngannou’s compelling journey.

Fight fans react to Dana White making the Francis Ngannou movie 

Francis Ngannou and Dana White had a tense relationship that ultimately led to Ngannou leaving the UFC. Despite becoming the heavyweight champion, Ngannou felt undervalued, seeking better pay, fighter benefits, and freedom to pursue boxing. White refused his demands, leading to a public fallout. In 2023, Ngannou left the UFC, later signing with PFL for a multi-million dollar contract.

The UFC boss dismissed him, claiming he didn’t want challenges and accused him of running away from the Jon Jones superfight. However, Ngannou’s successful transition to boxing proved he was more than just a UFC fighter. Here are some reactions from fight fans in the recent movie development.

I mean @ZackSnyder and @Turki_alalshikh could have told the Francis story and won an oscar. That man went from walking in deserts, floating on rafts in the ocean and was homeless in Paris. Dreamed of being a boxer, but became a UFC Champion by sheer will… But hey thats me, I… https://t.co/39QXZwgZzS

— Anatomy of a Fighter (@WillHarrisAOAF) March 31, 2025

Could’ve gone with Francis Ngannou’s escape from Africa, the stories of hundreds of fighters from war torn nations, but instead we get another “rough streets of LA” story lol

— Jake Noecker (@JakeNoeckerMMA) March 31, 2025

Dana absolutely despises Francis and will never give him the opportunity

— tausiff (@tausiffrr) March 31, 2025

Francis’ story will be told one day, make no mistake about that. But it’s never going to be in cooperation with the UFC sadly.

— Kyle (@bulliedb170) March 31, 2025

Great!!! More bullshit to water down the product.

The UFC has become a content creator and nothing more. Content matters more than the product being good.

— Martin P (@MartinP_MMA) March 31, 2025

This movie’s gonna be filled with punches and way too many slow-motion sequences

— seiji 🌿🌸 (@szaseiji) March 31, 2025

As expected, fans made it clear that Francis Ngannou was a great choice for the movie, which Dana White missed out on after his latest collaboration with Zack Snyder. Other fans were simply annoyed with the idea as the story seemed basic.

Francis Ngannou’s ultimate journey as a fighter 

Francis Ngannou’s journey began in Cameroon, where he grew up in poverty. At an early age, he started working in sand mines as a child to support his family. Dreaming of a fighting career, he traveled to Europe, enduring homelessness on the streets of Paris. Despite countless struggles, he found a gym and dedicated himself to MMA. His raw power and determination led him to the UFC, where ‘The Predator’ became the heavyweight champion.

Ngannou overcame extreme adversity, proving that resilience and hard work could turn dreams into reality. After he left UFC, many thought it was a career-ending move but he proved his haters wrong. He made millions by participating in high profile boxing bouts, more than he ever made in the UFC. Later, he made his PFL debut and became their heavyweight champion.

Related: Francis Ngannou girlfriend: Who is “The Predator” dating and why is she kept a secret?