Francis Ngannou refutes Dana White’s boxing paycheck claims — ‘It was just a trap’

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Francis Ngannou seems happy with his choice to leave the UFC ranks.

“The Predator” left the promotion as active Heavyweight champion. He used his newfound free agency to leverage a massive contract with PFL and cross over into the boxing ring. After giving Tyson Fury everything he could handle and getting smoked by Anthony Joshua — making many millions of dollars in the process — Ngannou will return to the cage opposite PFL Heavyweight champion Renan Fereira.

UFC CEO Dana White recently addressed Ngannou’s windfall earnings, and he wasn’t so impressed. According to White, UFC could have matched if not exceeded what Ngannou has earned since leaving the promotion, and he advised against trusting the reported numbers.

“Unless he was the one writing me the check, I don’t see how he can know that.“ Ngannou responded in a recent interview. “Me, as the inside one who was receiving the money after leaving the UFC and from what the UFC was proposing — it was just a trap. It wasn’t a solid contract. That’s a lie.”

Ngannou vs. Ferreira is scheduled for Oct. 19, 2024 inside The Mayadeen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Prior to his boxing excursion, Ngannou most recently defeated Ciryl Gane via unanimous decision to defend his UFC belt. Ferreira, meanwhile, hasn’t lost since August 2022 and won his last four bouts via knockout, setting up an exciting “Battle of the Giants.”

Insomnia

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Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.