Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has reacted to criticism from UFC President Dana White, stating that he often proves White wrong, and questioned why he was not allowed a boxing match with Tyson Fury while still in UFC, ahead of a scheduled fight with the boxer on October 28.
Francis Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion, has always found it perplexing the way UFC President Dana White treated him as he left the promotion. His objections stem from his belief that he consistently surpassed his former employer’s expectations, particularly given his recent booking of a high-profile fight with Tyson Fury in the boxing ring this fall. He stated, “For some reason, I always prove Dana White wrong — even when he’s on my side. I always prove him wrong, every single time. This is just our story.”
It was publicly revealed on Tuesday that Ngannou is scheduled to go against Fury in a 10-round boxing match on Oct. 28 in Saudi Arabia. The fight is to be recognized as a professional bout, with the outcomes contributing to both fighters’ records. However, Fury’s WBC title will not be at stake. Ngannou was cognizant of White’s intention to bring Fury into the UFC for a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight with Jon Jones, a startling revelation for the newly signed PFL competitor.
Ngannou questioned, “They were ready to do Jon Jones and Tyson Fury in MMA — why couldn’t they do Ngannou and Fury in boxing? I don’t know.” He also pointed out that White intended to distract him from his fight by sending out a contract for the Jones fight. In his opinion, this was a highly embarrassing move as that contract was subsequently rejected, while his contract for the GIMIK Fight Promotions was signed.
Ngannou remained nonchalant about the common speculation in the UFC and wider MMA community suggesting that he made a poor decision by leaving the UFC and forgoing a significant fight with Jones. He simply smiled at the skepticism and hatred. He admitted, “It’s not a secret that so many people wanted me to fail. They don’t want me to succeed, it’s not a secret, it’s quite obvious, and you all know about it.”