Francis Ngannou Shrugs Off Dana White’s Accusations: 'I Just Want Peace'

Francis Ngannou isn’t interested in revisiting old battles especially not with UFC CEO Dana White. Weeks after White accused the former UFC heavyweight champion of physically accosting him and UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell during a dispute over a post-fight bonus years ago, Ngannou offered a surprisingly calm, almost dismissive response. Speaking with Ariel Helwani on Wednesday, Ngannou made it clear that he has no intention of reigniting a feud he considers firmly in the past.

Ngannou: “Why am I not surprised?”

White recently claimed Ngannou pushed him in his office and later grabbed Campbell by the shirt after being denied a discretionary bonus. But Ngannou didn’t meet the allegations with outrage instead, he met them with exhaustion. “Why am I not surprised?” Ngannou said. “If Dana says this, then I’m out here to defend myself for what Dana said. At some point it becomes very annoying.”

Ngannou emphasized that he no longer has the interest or energy to respond to every accusation attached to his name. “If every time somebody says something about you, you have to respond, it’s going to be tough,” he said. “Over time, I’ve just gotten tired of that stuff. I just want to be at peace, and for people to leave me alone.”

No Detailed Rebuttal: “I’m long gone from that”

When asked directly whether White’s version of events was accurate, Ngannou avoided specifics. “In his office, that’s what he said, right? I’m sure he has a lot of cameras there,” Ngannou replied.

The former champion reiterated that the incident whatever the reality is not something he intends to relitigate publicly. “I really saw that and scrolled past. I wasn’t even thinking about it. I’m long gone from that.”

A fractured relationship that never healed

Ngannou hasn’t fought in the UFC since his championship win over Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 in January 2022. After recovering from knee surgery, he exited the promotion and signed with the PFL, leaving behind years of tension with White.

Their relationship once cautiously respectful deteriorated as Ngannou pursued greater contractual freedom and independent boxing deals. White criticized Ngannou’s decisions repeatedly, while Ngannou maintained that he simply wanted to advocate for himself and future fighters.

Now, he reflects on the fallout with disappointment rather than anger. “We shouldn’t have gone this way,” Ngannou said. “How did we get from where we were to where we are right now? It’s quite disappointing.”

What’s next for Ngannou

Ngannou continues negotiating high-profile boxing opportunities while remaining part of the PFL’s future plans. White, meanwhile, has been vocal about his disinterest in working with Ngannou again.

Whether the UFC CEO’s latest claims were a final jab or an attempt to explain a past dispute, Ngannou has made one thing clear: he’s no longer engaging. “Maybe I’m getting old,” he said. “I have less energy for drama.”