Dana White became the key antagonist in the Francis Ngannou story when the UFC decided to part ways and not pursue the matching rights after their negotiations for contract renewal fell apart.
Ngannou believed in himself and repeatedly tried to negotiate better conditions for himself and for others on UFC roster to no avail.
In the end, Ngannou walked away from an offer that would’ve reportedly netted him about $8,000,000 if here to stay a UFC champion.
Instead, he pursued a boxing exhibition that at times seemed like it wouldn’t even happen.
Ultimately, Ngannou secured ‘multiples’ of what UFC was offering to him, as per his manager and became the talk of the town when he knocked down Tyson Fury and came within reach of defeating him.
Sadly the judges didn’t see it that way, and Fury retained his undefeated record.
Many were quick to point out how UFC and Dana White in particular tried to undermine Ngannou.
But White was reluctant to slam Ngannou at all costs after he managed to seize the narrative. In an appearance on Donald Trump Jr’s podcast, White said:
“I didn’t see the fight, but the fact that he went ten rounds with Tyson Fury is crazy… Conor McGregor made it ten with Floyd, Anthony Pettis beat Roy Jones Jr – I know Roy’s 60 years old or whatever, but I don’t know what the hell is going on, it’s crazy. I didn’t see the fight, but the fact that he went ten rounds is unbelievable.”
Ngannou was previously quoted saying he doesn’t care what his former boss thinks of it:
“Who cares?” the ex-UFC heavyweight champ said Monday on The MMA Hour. “Dana White feels like he feels. Personally, I feel great. I think you have to send him an invite so you could ask him. I would like to know, too.”