(via Zuffa LLC)
Here's What Francis Ngannou Told Dana White Before Leaving UFC
Francis Ngannou has detailed the conversation he had with Dana White before making his UFC exit.
Ngannou had been the reigning UFC Heavyweight Champion from March 2021 until early 2023. "The Predator" was never defeated for the gold, rather the title became vacated after he parted ways with the UFC. The two sides couldn't come to terms on a new deal.
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Speaking to Ariel Helwani on a recent edition of MMAFighting's "The MMA Hour," Ngannou discussed the conversation he had with UFC President Dana White before his early 2022 fight with Ciryl Gane.
"I went to him, we spoke, and I said, 'I appreciate everything that you've done for me. I appreciate all the help, but at this point, I feel like I don't belong anymore,'" Ngannou said.
Ngannou recalled what White told him, as well as his own response to the UFC boss in person.
"He was like, 'Yes, we want you here. We want you here, I think you have to change your team,' or something. I'm like, 'No, I feel like I've been in the promotion lately without a promoter. I don't have a promoter anymore,' Ngannou said. "[He's] like, 'What do you mean? Have you ever want to come to an event and you don't get ticket? Or have you ever went to the PI and couldn't access?' For a moment, I thought about it. I'm like, 'Man, this guy is so good. Look how he switched the situation.' So, what? I'll be working my whole life to have access forever at the PI? Personally, I had to talk to him man to man, like I'm cool. I'm not just happy of how our business is doing. That's all."
Ngannou is now officially a member of the PFL MMA roster. As part of the deal, the former UFC Heavyweight Champion is now the Chairman of PFL Africa. He also has equity in the promotion. Ngannou will also be allowed to have boxing matches, as his PFL deal is only exclusive to MMA.
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