Dana White Disputes Ngannou’s Boxing Pay Claim
In October 2024, UFC CEO Dana White disputed Francis Ngannou’s claim that boxing had paid him more than he would have earned by staying with the UFC. White said the UFC offer was higher than Ngannou’s boxing income, but neither man made a contract or purse ledger public. Ngannou later rejected White’s account and said he had earned more outside the UFC.
The Controversy Unfolds
Speaking with journalist Kevin Iole, White called the idea that Ngannou made more in boxing a “myth” and said the UFC had offered him more to stay. That was White’s claim about a private negotiation; the offer’s full terms and the purses from Ngannou’s boxing bouts have not been publicly documented in a way that settles the comparison.
Breaking Down the Numbers
Public estimates of Ngannou’s boxing purses varied. Before his October 2023 fight with Tyson Fury, his representatives were reported to expect an eight-figure payday; reports before the March 2024 Anthony Joshua bout also described a purse above $10 million. These were reported estimates, not disclosed contract figures, so adding them together as a confirmed $30 million total is not justified. Both bouts took place in Saudi Arabia, where Turki Alalshikh and the General Entertainment Authority have been involved in major boxing events.
Ngannou has separately said the UFC offered him about $8 million for a potential fight with Jon Jones. That figure is his account of the offer, and it does not by itself establish what he would have earned over a longer UFC career or how it compares with his boxing contracts.
Dana White’s Perspective
White said he knew the “real numbers” and maintained that the UFC’s offer exceeded Ngannou’s boxing earnings. Ngannou later called that assertion a lie and said he had made about twice what he believed he would have earned by remaining with the UFC. Because neither side published the complete agreements, the public record does not independently verify either comparison.
White also criticized boxing’s reliance on wealthy backers, pointing to Saudi investment in high-profile events. His comments reflect his view of the sport’s economics; they do not resolve the separate question of Ngannou’s private compensation.
The Bigger Picture
This dispute highlights the ongoing debate about fighter pay in mixed martial arts and the potential financial opportunities available in boxing for top-tier MMA athletes. It also underscores the complex relationship between promoters, fighters, and the media in combat sports.
Ngannou’s Recent MMA Results
Ngannou returned to MMA against Renan Ferreira at PFL: Battle of the Giants on October 19, 2024, and won by first-round knockout. After leaving the PFL in March 2026, he returned on the May 16, 2026 MVP card and knocked out Philipe Lins in the first round. His later career has added new fights, but it does not disclose the contract figures at the center of White and Ngannou’s 2024 disagreement.
Conclusion
The disagreement remains a dispute over private financial terms. White said the UFC’s offer was larger; Ngannou said boxing brought him greater earnings. Without the contracts and a consistent accounting of guarantees, bonuses, and other compensation, public purse estimates cannot conclusively prove either side’s total.
The original discussion followed White’s October 2024 interview and Ngannou’s subsequent response. Later results—including Ngannou’s MMA wins over Ferreira and Lins—update his career record, while the compensation comparison remains unverified publicly.
Sources: MMA Fighting’s report on White’s October 2024 claim; CBS Sports on Ngannou’s response; MMA Fighting on Ngannou’s earnings claim; MMA Fighting’s report on his 2026 return.
Sources
Tags: Boxing, Combat Sports
