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Dana White admits rooting against UFC champion he despised
MMA Junkie • • general
Key Points:
- Dana White publicly criticized former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, labeling him a "bad guy" and expressing a refusal to do business with him, comparing Ngannou to Oscar De La Hoya in terms of contentious relationships with promotions.
- White admitted he wanted Ngannou to lose during UFC 270 in January 2022, Ngannou's final fight with the UFC, indicating a deep personal and professional rift.
- Ngannou responded on social media, accusing White of trying to control his career and asserting that White must accept the irreversible loss of Ngannou leaving the UFC.
- Their feud dates back to 2018 around Ngannou's first title fight and worsened as Ngannou's contract neared expiration, with Ngannou ultimately departing UFC undefeated as champion.
- Since leaving UFC, Ngannou has pursued boxing against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, and returned to MMA with victories in PFL and MVP MMA events in 2024.
