Dana White shoots down Francis Ngannou UFC return talk: ‘I just don’t want to do business with bad guys’

Dana White has made clear that Francis Ngannou will not be returning to the UFC, citing character concerns as the reason for closing the door on any potential reconciliation. Speaking on the Nightcap podcast Thursday, the UFC president was asked about the possibility of a matchup between Ngannou and Jon Jones—a theoretical superfight that has captured fans' imaginations. White's response was blunt: he compared Ngannou to Oscar De La Hoya and said he has reached a point in his career where he refuses to do business with "bad guys."

The rift between White and Ngannou dates to January 2023, when the heavyweight departed the UFC. Ngannou was stripped of his title on his way out, and the two have remained at odds ever since over both personal and professional disagreements. After leaving the octagon, Ngannou signed with the PFL, where he not only competed but served as chairman of PFL Africa. That venture yielded modest results—he fought just once for the league, defeating Renan Ferreira in 2024, before departing in March. Since then, Ngannou has pursued high-profile boxing matches against Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury.

White's moral stance, however, rings hollow given the UFC's history with other fighters who have faced serious controversies. Jones, whom White praised as "the baddest dude to ever walk the face of the earth," was stripped of his light heavyweight title following a 2015 hit-and-run and has dealt with multiple legal issues. Similarly, Conor McGregor returned to competition at UFC 329 in July despite being found liable for sexual assault in civil court the previous year. McGregor has also accumulated numerous outside-the-cage controversies throughout his career. White's selective application of ethical standards underscores the complex and sometimes contradictory nature of his leadership at the UFC.