Francis Ngannou scoffs at Dana White dissing his ‘biggest paycheck in fighting career’
PFL debutant and ex-UFC champ Francis Ngannou answers Dana White's claim that he would have made more money staying in UFC.
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Francis Ngannou hits back at Dana White's claims about his payday (Source: IMAGO)
Francis Ngannou has no intention of embarking on a new feud with UFC CEO Dana White. The relationship has remained stable ever since the contract negotiations stalled in 2022. ‘The Predator’ would prefer to stay away from UFC’s talking point. However, Ngannou dismissed Dana White’s claims that he would have made more money had he re-signed with the UFC.
As the third anniversary of Ngannou’s last UFC appearance approaches, he doesn’t doubt about making the right decision. He even entered the pro-boxing foray and made some “life-changing” two-fight, $30 million bank! Per long-time representative Marquel Martin, it’s more than his whole UFC purse. However, White recently billed the idea that boxing offers bigger paydays than the UFC as “a myth.”
Well, unless he was the one writing me a check, I don’t see how he can know that. Me, as the inside one that was receiving those money after leaving the UFC, and from what the UFC was proposing was just a trap, it wasn’t a solid contract as well. So, that’s a lie.
Francis Ngannou to Shakiel Mahjouri (@ShakMMA)
With additional sponsorship and bonuses, Francis Ngannou has reportedly earned at least $30 million for his two fights. He got to face WBC then-lineal heavyweight Tyson Fury in his debut. The results did not go his way, as the Brit did eke out a split-decision victory despite a knockdown. However, ‘Predator’ made a reported $10M bank just on that!
Since leaving the UFC, Ngannou has also signed a profitable contract with the Professional Fighters League [PFL]. Ngannou’s latest MMA partnership has helped his financial success since leaving the sport’s global leader. Although he hasn’t fought in the PFL yet, it’s a big enough opportunity. He makes his debut at the PFL Super Fights: ‘Battle of the Giants’ event this month.
Francis Ngannou questions Dana White’s credibility, slams UFC boss for his take
At one stage, White said Ngannou would never get what he wanted from boxing if he parted ways with the UFC. This is especially after leaving an alleged offer on the table to become UFC’s highest-paid heavyweight. Those days are long gone, but the narrative still persists.
Dana White recently doubled down on pro-MMA vs. pro-boxing sentiments. He even said that Ngannou was offered more money to stay in the UFC because he knows the “real numbers” that others don’t. Francis Ngannou can only scoff at White’s comments, warning the public not to believe the peddled narrative.
Personally at this point, it’s been a while since I’ve taken anything from Dana White as credible, …I don’t give any importance because the things that he says a lot of times cannot make sense. But just for this statement, I will say for everything that I left the UFC for – every single thing – I have had more. Way more. Everything. Name it. Just say I have had everything way more.
Francis Ngannou to MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn
Despite not having the UFC platform behind him, Ngannou is happy with life. He has stood behind all of the business decisions he’s taken since leaving the UFC until the present day. For this reason, White’s statements are irrelevant to him.
Ngannou (17-3 MMA, 0-0 PFL, 0-2 boxing) takes on Renan Ferreira during ‘Battle of the Giants’ headliner in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The biggest free agency signing, he also chairs the PFL Africa venture, in cohort with PFL MENA. All in all, he doesn’t really have much inkling as to what his old boss would say about his payday now.
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