In a recent interview, UFC CEO Dana White made some controversial statements regarding former UFC Heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou’s earnings in professional boxing. White challenged the widely reported figures of Ngannou’s boxing paydays, which have been described as “life-changing.”
Ngannou, who left the UFC in 2023, has since participated in two high-profile boxing matches. According to Forbes, the Cameroonian w5q4vearned $10 million for his bout against Tyson Fury in October 2023 and $20 million for his match with Anthony Joshua earlier this year.
However, White disputes these numbers, stating, “That’s not necessarily true. It’s not really true. That’s the nonsense that the public believes, but that’s not the truth. Total nonsense.”
The UFC boss went on to criticize the boxing business model, claiming, “Boxing doesn’t work. It takes a Saudi trillionaire to make boxing work.” This statement appears to reference the recent trend of holding major boxing events in Saudi Arabia, where significant financial backing has attracted top-tier athletes.
White’s comments come as Ngannou prepares for his return to mixed martial arts. The heavyweight is set to face Brazilian fighter Renan Ferreira in the main event of PFL Super Fights: “Battle of the Giants” on October 19, 2024, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Interestingly, White has previously stated that if Ngannou had stayed with the UFC, he would have become the highest-paid Heavyweight in the promotion’s history. This claim contrasts sharply with Ngannou’s own revelation that he earned $600,000 for his final UFC fight.
The discrepancy between White’s assertions and the reported boxing paydays has sparked debate within the combat sports community. Many fans and analysts are questioning the accuracy of White’s statements, given the substantial figures reported by reputable sources.
