Dana White has never hesitated to speak bluntly about former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. But in a recent appearance on the Flagrant podcast, the UFC CEO went further than ever before, claiming Ngannou physically accosted him — and later UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell — during heated disputes at the UFC headquarters.
White described the first alleged altercation during a meeting at the UFC offices, shortly after Ngannou had fought but did not receive a $50,000 post-fight bonus.
White says Ngannou, frustrated about missing the bonus, confronted him:
“He was upset he didn’t get the $50,000. I explained why someone else earned it. I said the conversation is over, and I started to leave. He grabs me by the shirt and pushes me back into my office. I told him, ‘Get your hands off me.’”
According to White, Ngannou displayed a side of him that the public doesn’t see:
“I could see in his eyes and the way he was acting who he really is.”
White claimed Ngannou had a similar physical exchange with Hunter Campbell:
“Hunter started to walk away, and Francis grabbed him by the back of the collar and pulled him back, saying ‘We’re not done talking yet.’ This guy is not a good guy.”
White said his concerns about Ngannou’s behavior go back to 2018 before Ngannou’s first title fight against Stipe Miocic. According to White, Ngannou grabbed him after a press conference and demanded a private jet to Paris for after he won the title.
“He said, ‘Let me tell you what’s going to happen. When this fight’s over, you’re going to book me a private plane to Paris.’ He wasn’t asking. He was demanding it.”
Miocic went on to dominate Ngannou that night, halting what White described as “entitlement behavior.”
White admitted he considered releasing Ngannou multiple times, but matchmakers convinced him to keep him:
“When somebody shows you who they are, believe them.”
The situation eventually reached its breaking point after Ngannou defended his heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane and began negotiations for a new contract. Ngannou wanted more freedom — including the ability to box and negotiate his own sponsorship deals. Talks fell apart, and Ngannou left the UFC to sign with PFL and secure massive fights in boxing.
Despite his success outside the UFC, White stands firm.
“Francis Ngannou is not a good guy. There’s no language barrier. He knows exactly what he’s doing.”
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