Dana White disputes Francis Ngannou‘s claim that he made more money in boxing than he would have in the UFC, asserting that the notion of lucrative boxing earnings is a myth.
Dana White is challenging the notion that Francis Ngannou earned more in boxing than he could’ve in the UFC.
Ngannou’s move from the UFC to PFL and his venture into boxing has been a hot topic. He claimed he’d earn more through boxing, a significant reason for his departure.
But Dana White isn’t buying it.
In a chat with Kevin Iole on Tuesday, the UFC CEO dismissed the idea of boxing riches as “a myth.”
“That’s not necessarily true,” White declared. “It’s the bullshit people believe publicly, but it’s not the truth. Total bullshit.”
He continued, “That’s the myth driving everyone to boxing. Boxing doesn’t work. You need a Saudi trillionaire to make fights happen, and even they get fed up with the bullshit.”
White added, “Statements like yours are absolutely not true. The media fuels these myths. It takes a Saudi trillionaire to bankroll fights, and even then, they lose money. The model’s broken.”
Turki Alalshikh from Saudi Arabia has heavily invested in boxing recently. He’s backed Ngannou’s bouts against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, reportedly earning Ngannou $30 million—far more than the $8 million UFC offer for fighting Jon Jones. Yet, White remains firm in his denial.
“I know things you don’t,” White told reporters after a Contender Series episode. “It doesn’t matter what others say; I know the real numbers.”
Ngannou is set to return to MMA soon, facing PFL heavyweight champ Renan Ferreira at PFL: Battle of the Giants on Oct. 19 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.