Ngannou Disputes White’s Claim About UFC Earnings
Francis Ngannou disputed UFC CEO Dana White’s claim that he would have earned more by remaining with the promotion. In an October 2024 interview with CBS Sports, Ngannou said White could not know his actual post-UFC earnings because White did not pay him directly. Ngannou also criticized the proposed UFC contract and called White’s assertion false.
The Dispute Unfolds
At the time of the interview, Ngannou was preparing for his October 19, 2024, MMA return against PFL heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira in Riyadh. He had left the UFC in 2023 and boxed Tyson Fury in October 2023 and Anthony Joshua in March 2024. Ngannou lost to Fury by split decision and to Joshua by second-round knockout, according to Reuters’ Joshua–Ngannou report and BBC Sport’s report on the Fury bout.
Ngannou’s Rebuttal
Ngannou rejected White’s comparison between the UFC offer and his boxing income, arguing that he had firsthand knowledge of the money he received after leaving and that the UFC’s proposed terms did not offer the freedom he wanted. His remarks reflected his view of the negotiations; the contract terms and the parties’ full financial records are not public.
The Financial Reality
White had said Ngannou would have earned more by staying with the UFC. Ngannou countered that claim, but the public exchange does not provide enough information to independently compare the total value of the UFC offer with Ngannou’s boxing and PFL arrangements. The financial dispute therefore remains a disagreement between the two men, rather than a publicly verifiable accounting.
Beyond the Paycheck
Ngannou has described his choices as involving more than immediate fight pay, including the contract terms and his ability to pursue boxing. His decision to leave gave him the opportunity to box Fury and Joshua and to compete in the PFL, but it does not establish which path would have produced the larger total earnings.
The Bigger Picture
The dispute highlights how little detail is usually available about fighter contracts and guarantees. Without the full terms of the UFC proposal and verified figures for Ngannou’s later deals, neither side’s comparison can be independently settled from public reporting alone.
Looking Ahead
Ngannou did return to MMA on October 19, 2024, and defeated Ferreira by first-round knockout at 3:32 to win the inaugural PFL Super Fights heavyweight title. The PFL’s official event report documents the result. The fight settled the question of his return date, but not the competing claims about how much he would have earned in the UFC.
Sources
CBS Sports: Ngannou’s October 2024 response to White
PFL: Ngannou–Ferreira official result
Reuters: Joshua–Ngannou result
BBC Sport: Fury–Ngannou result
Sources
Tags: Boxing, Combat Sports
