Francis Ngannou Questions Dana White’s Dream of ‘Biggest Fight of All Time’

Francis Ngannou eyes a return for the UFC’s historic White House event as Dana White plans the massive card and delays fighter talks until 2026.

Francis Ngannou Questions Dana White’s Dream of ‘Biggest Fight of All Time’

Francis Ngannou calls out Dana Whites dream for White House (via BBC, Fighters Only)

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The UFC’s upcoming event at the White House is already being billed as one of the most ambitious cards in the promotion’s history. With the organization set to make history by staging an event at such a prestigious location, speculation has begun regarding which fighters could feature on the card. Among the many names, former UFC 265lbs champion Francis Ngannou has emerged as the newest addition.

Ngannou’s dominance in the heavyweight division and his highly publicized departure from the promotion in January 2023 continue to make him one of the most talked-about figures in the combat sports world. After leaving the UFC, Ngannou was at significant odds with CEO Dana White regarding fighter pay and signed with rival promotion PFL.

‘The Predator’s long-discussed matchup with Jon Jones remains one of the most talked-about fights that never materialized. Jones, who previously held the heavyweight title, has been inactive since his last fight against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in November 2024. Adding to the hype for the White House event, Ngannou recently teased a potential matchup against Jones.

If you want ‘biggest [event] of all time,’ you make it the biggest. That can only happen with Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou.

Francis Ngannou via TMZ Sports

White had initially considered a superfight between heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall and Jones, with a heavy purse for the former 265lbs kingpin. Moreover, he even called it the biggest fight in the company’s heavyweight division.

However, after his constant refusal to fight the Englishman and sudden retirement, White has snubbed the former two-division champion as an unreliable choice for the June 2026 event.

Despite being overlooked, Jones has consistently pleaded with the head honcho to consider him for the historic card. White has reportedly spent nearly $700,000 on specially grown grass for the South Lawn, ensuring the setup meets broadcast and event standards.

The card will be capped at 5,000 in-person spectators to maintain exclusivity and security. However, a massive jumbotron is being installed outside the South Lawn, allowing up to 85,000 fans to watch the event live from the surrounding area.

Many fighters have already begun rallying for a spot on the historic card, hoping to be part of what could become a landmark moment for the sport. However, Dana White has clarified that discussions regarding matchups and fighter selections will not begin until February 2026. For now, speculation continues to center on whether Ngannou and Jones will even be considered for the event or not.

Francis Ngannou comes to Tom Aspinall’s support

The UFC 321 heavyweight clash between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane ended in controversy after an accidental eye poke brought the fight to an abrupt halt. The highly anticipated matchup was expected to shape the future of the division, but the incident left both fans and analysts divided over how it was handled. With the bout ruled a no-contest, discussions quickly shifted to officiating and fighter safety.

Francis Ngannou weighs in on Tom Aspinall's eye poke
Francis Ngannou weighs in on Tom Aspinall’s eye poke (via SPORTbible)

In the days following the fight, Aspinall faced criticism for his decision not to continue after being poked in both eyes. Some questioned the severity of the injury, while others defended his choice to prioritize long-term vision health. Amid the backlash, former UFC champion Francis Ngannou voiced his support for Aspinall, stressing that continuing under compromised vision would have only drawn more criticism.

I think the eye poke made more news than the fight itself. The eye poke compromised Tom’s vision. An eye poke is not like getting kicked in the balls, where you can recover and come back; it compromises your vision. If you lose a fight with compromised vision, the same people will say how stupid you were.

Francis Ngannou via TMZ Sports

The debate surrounding the incident has once again highlighted the thin line between bravery and self-preservation in MMA. Ngannou’s stance reinforced the importance of fighter safety in moments where careers can change instantly. As the UFC considers how to handle future cases of accidental fouls, the controversy highlighted the unpredictability and unforgiving nature of the heavyweight division.

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