Dana White has stated that Francis Ngannou’s new money-spinning MMA exclusive deal with the PFL promotion “makes no sense,” provoking an angry response from the former UFC heavyweight champion himself.
“Based on what I know about the deal, which is not much, it makes no sense to me,” White told reporters after UFC Fight Night 224 on Saturday night. “You’re going to pay a guy not to fight for a year, and it’s already been like [14] months. He’s fought three times in the last three years. It’s just not what we do here. It’s not what we do.
“And the day that we released him, I knew exactly what was going to happen. Francis wants to take zero risks, doesn’t want to take any chances, and he obviously didn’t want to take a chance with Jon Jones — and after we saw what happened with Ciryl Gane, I don’t blame him. I think the outcome would’ve been exactly the same, and I’m sure most of you do and I’m sure Francis does too.”
Naturally it was only a matter of time before Ngannou fired back at his former boss.
“What is your problem with me?” Ngannou tweeted.
“1. I completed my contract, was a free agent, and chose to walk away. you didn’t release me
“2. I hate taking risks? that’s why I defended my title to fulfill my contract with no acl or mcl?
“3. The reason I fought three times in three years is because you wanted to control my deal and signs a new one. And freeze me out. “I owe these guys three fights a year.” Isn’t that what you say? What happened?
“I always asked for & never said no to any fight in the 3 years” and “I’m finally getting paid and respected, and have a deal that’s fair and equal for all parties.
“Why are you so against me being free and happy?”
