TLDR
- Dana White told Shannon Sharpe’s show that Francis Ngannou is on his list of people he refuses to work with, calling him a ‘bad guy’
- Ngannou responded on social media saying White spent years trying to prevent him from leaving UFC during their legal battle
- The former heavyweight champion left UFC in 2023 after defending his title against Ciryl Gane at UFC 270
- Ngannou has since boxed Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, and returned to MMA with a knockout win over Philipe Lins
- The UFC heavyweight division remains uncertain with Tom Aspinall sidelined and Ciryl Gane holding the interim title
Sources: yardbarker.com | sports.yahoo.com | youtube.com
Francis Ngannou has responded to Dana White’s latest comments refusing to bring him back to UFC. The former heavyweight champion posted on social media that White needs to accept their split as permanent.
White appeared on Nightcap with Shannon Sharpe and Chad Ochocinco this week. When asked about a potential fight between Ngannou and Jon Jones, the UFC president shut down any possibility of working together again.
The UFC boss told the show that Ngannou is on his “Oscar De La Hoya list” of people he refuses to work with. “He’s a bad guy and I’m at a point in my life where I just don’t want to do business with bad guys,” White said according to MMA Fighting.
Ngannou References Legal Battle
Ngannou fired back on X by reminding White about the legal issues that happened before he left UFC in 2023. “Saying the guy that I spent over three years and a lot of money in law firms building an escape plan to get away from, meanwhile he was doing everything in his power to ensure I was never free,” Ngannou wrote.
The fighter added a direct message to White: “You have to take that loss; it is irreversible.” BJ Penn.com first reported Ngannou’s response.
Dana White says he never wants to work with Francis Ngannou ever again 😬
"Look at the history of Francis Ngannou and the other companies he's been with. He's a bad guy. I don't want to do business with bad guys."
(via @NightcapShow_)pic.twitter.com/IZSZzdwatl
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) September 11, 2026
Ngannou defended his UFC heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 in early 2022. That was his last fight in the organization before his contract ended.
White has publicly admitted he wanted Ngannou to lose that fight against Gane. After leaving UFC, the heavyweight champion made moves into professional boxing.
Ngannou fought Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in high-profile boxing matches. He then returned to mixed martial arts with a first-round knockout victory over Philipe Lins at MVP MMA 1.
That fight with Lins was a one-fight deal. Ngannou parted ways with the PFL promotion in March of this year.
Heavyweight Division Remains Uncertain
The UFC heavyweight division currently faces several questions about its future. Tom Aspinall is sidelined waiting for eye testing results before he can compete again.
Ciryl Gane currently holds the interim heavyweight title. The division lacks clarity about who will fight for the championship next.
White’s comments about never working with Ngannou again remove one potential option for heavyweight matchups. The UFC president compared his stance on Ngannou to his long-standing refusal to work with boxer Oscar De La Hoya.
Ngannou’s legal battle with UFC lasted over three years according to his social media post. He said he spent significant money on law firms to create an exit plan from the organization.
The former champion’s comments suggest the relationship between him and White became difficult during contract negotiations. White’s response indicates he has no interest in repairing that relationship.
Ngannou’s next fight in combat sports remains unknown. He has competed in both boxing and MMA since leaving UFC but has not announced his next opponent or which sport he will compete in.
