Amid the clear problems that remain with the UFC, Francis Ngannou wants to make a sensational return to the octagon for the White House card in June. With his contract about to expire with the PFL, nothing is stopping him signing back with his former promotion and rejoining the surging heavyweight division, aside from Dana White.
Despite positioning himself as one of the scariest fighters on the planet, Ngannou couldn’t keep his relationship with boss White from growing sour. The promotion placed ‘The Predator’ in a position to build a superstar reputation for himself, but he allegedly wanted more.
According to recent comments, Francis Ngannou attempted to be physical with Dana White. This, along with several other factors, reportedly played a defining role in Ngannou’s fallout with the company.
During an interview, White explained exactly what happened between himself and Ngannou.
“It’s not like Francis Ngannou came in here and threatened us, or did anything like that,” White said regarding the media rumors that have come to life following his earlier comments.
“As men, everybody who is a man knows, there’s these situations with that. We’re in [my office] and he’s telling me that, ‘I deserve the $50,000, I want the $50,000.’ I said, ‘You’re not getting it…'”
“I’m in there with him for however long we’re talking, and I’m like, ‘I’m done.’ I had another meeting…”
“So, I started to walk out and he put his hand on my chest. He says, ‘We’re not done talking yet.’ And I said, ‘Oh, we’re f***ing done talking.'”
“It’s not like Francis Ngannou came in here and was like physically [abusive], but that’s what went down.”
This interaction served as the beginning of the end for Francis Ngannou’s time with the UFC.
Dana White has since moved on from his former heavyweight champion and is dead set on making the forthcoming White House event the biggest in the sport’s history.
To do so, along with his matchmakers, White must gather the best fighters available, and guarantee fans a spectacle.
One man that continues to surface alongside the June 14 date is Jon Jones. The former two division world champion is keen on adding his name to what is being considered the most significant event in the sport.
Doubts still remain around Jon Jones’ inclusion, and Dana White isn’t certain that he can trust a man many consider the greatest to ever compete in MMA. But, if he is given the nod, who will Jones face?
Not only did Francis Ngannou publicly state an interest in fighting at the White House, but he also named Jones as his ideal opponent.
A Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou clash would be a must-see affair between two of the sport’s very best. While it would undoubtedly be one of the best fights to make, Dana White still isn’t sold on the idea of a returning Ngannou.
“I don’t know how I can make it anymore f***ing clear [that I don’t want Ngannou back].”
Related: Francis Ngannou responds to Dana White ‘bully’ comments
White has made it clear that without class, star power isn’t enough for the UFC to want to keep you around.
This has been shown several times with big-name fighters in the past, though none bigger than Francis Ngannou.
“There was nothing that made me happier than throwing that guy over to the f***ing PFL,” White continued.
“Let me tell you what. If we let guys go, feel bad for the f***ing company that gets them. We let them go for a f***ing reason.”
“I don’t have to let anybody go. I don’t want to be in business with guys that I don’t like and that I don’t think are good guys.”
“When you talk about good guys and bad guys, I’m in the fight business. Sh*t happens. You know what I mean?”
“I’m pretty lenient when it comes to tough guy sh*t. I’m not lenient with bad guy sh*t.”
