Israel Adesanya and Francis Ngannou were two of the most dominating champions of the UFC. However, things between the promotion and Ngannou didn’t end well. As such, the UFC recently tried to snub the former heavyweight champion from an official UFC video. In light of that incident, Adesanya slammed the UFC and its CEO, Dana White. Following that, White finally responded and gave clarity to the matter.
The controversy erupted during the UFC 305 promotional events. Former middleweight champ, Adesanya claimed that Ngannou’s name had been deliberately removed from the event’s promotional materials. Adesanya called out the UFC for seemingly downplaying Ngannou’s accomplishments. However, following that, White responded to Adesanya’s comment when speaking to reporters at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
I am in charge of everything production-related. So at the end of the day, the fact that it happened falls on me 100 percent. It’s my responsibility and I accept it. Blame me for that.
Dana White during the presser at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
According to Kevin Iole, White stated that an editor believed it was the right decision and in line with what the UFC would have preferred. Now, Iole also revealed that the UFC CEO has apologized to Adesanya for the incident.
Now, regarding Ngannou’s time at the UFC, the French-Cameroonian fighter’s reign as champion was widely celebrated in recent history. ’The Predator’ kept everyone in the community on their toes with his exceptional fight performances. After such performances, White had intended to keep him, but Ngannou had other plans.
Dana White takes full responsibility for Francis Ngannou being scrubbed from the #UFC305 promo videos:
“Someone was editing that and made a conscious decision, thinking that was the right thing to do… I didn’t know about it and that was nothing that ever came across my desk.… pic.twitter.com/D4HFmYR0iT
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) August 21, 2024
Since then, the relationship between Dana White and Francis Ngannou has deteriorated. White openly criticized Ngannou’s choices, and the Predator retaliated by accusing the UFC of not adequately supporting its fighters. Now, with Adesanya’s recent allegations, the divide has only widened. Interestingly, this is not the first time when the UFC tried to erase Ngannou’s traces from the promotion.
Francis Ngannou calls out the UFC and Dana White for trying to erase from the UFC history
Ngannou left UFC in 2023 after lengthy talks about a contract renewal with the UFC CEO came to nothing. The French-Cameroonian fighter was one of the few UFC stars to walk away from the company on top. However, following that Ngannou’s relationship with the promotion has become ugly. In one instance, the UFC did not even acknowledge the former heavyweight champion’s existence at the promotion.
A few months back, at UFC Vegas 78, Tafon Nchukwi was introduced as the only Cameroonian fighter in company history. The broadcast blunder was quickly pointed out by eagle-eyed fans on social media. Interestingly, it quickly came to Ngannou’s notice. As such, he explained that there were actually two fighters from Cameroon before Nchukwi.
Thierry Sokudjou was the first Cameroonian in the UFC. I was the second. Dont let them lie and erase history.
Francis Ngannou on X
Live look at the UFC trying their best to erase Francis Ngannou from their history books🤦🏽♂️
Easy mistake right? Its not like he’s the lineal Heavyweight Champion of the world!!
The lengths they will go@francis_ngannou pic.twitter.com/xXoY1lKfbL— DJ MurkCity (@myrksitymma) August 13, 2023
Thierry Sokoudjou was the first Cameroonian in the UFC. I was second. Don’t let them lie and erase history 🇨🇲❤️🥇 pic.twitter.com/4ZSSRZtcyo
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) August 13, 2023
Interestingly, Thierry Sokoudjou made three UFC appearances 15 years ago. So, it’s almost forgivable for someone in production to have forgotten about him. However, it’s hard to believe anyone forgot about Ngannou whose presence still looms large over the division he dominated.
After the Predator, Jon Jones became the UFC heavyweight champion. It was hoped he may one day return to settle his rivalry with ‘Bones’. However, now that is quite uncertain as Ngannou is set to make his PFL debut against Renan Ferreira this coming October.
