Francis Ngannou’s retirement from UFC was nothing short of a heartbreak for the fight fans. However, the Cameroonian fighter didn’t opt out of fighting. He signed in with the Professional Fighting League and even took to the squared rings. But one thing was certain. Dana White didn’t really appreciate it when Ngannou walked away from the UFC, leaving behind a much-anticipated matchup against Jon Jones. Ever since then, Ngannou and White have involved themselves in a pretty long and heated online scuffle. And one of the aspects that the duo argued about was money.

Taking to his YouTube talk show, Michael Bisping reflected on Ngannou’s story and his bank numbers. Ngannou indeed came from a poverty-stricken background and used to work in the Cameroonian sand quarries. Later he moved to Spain, only to be arrested for illegal immigration and was forced to sleep on the streets. But with time, Ngannou turned his luck upside down and founded a gym in Paris. That marked the beginning of his rise, and soon he became the UFC heavyweight champion. 

According to Forbes, Ngannou received $10 million for fighting Tyson Fury, and another $20 million against Anthony Joshua. Yep, he bagged millions despite his defeats. However, the UFC head honcho seemingly didn’t agree with the numbers. But Bisping was of a different mind. Weighing in on the kind of money that Ngannou bagged in his recent fights, ‘The Count’ said, “and made probably $30 million in those 2 boxing fights alone.” 

‘The Predator’ is getting ready to make a return to the world of mixed martial arts and fight Renan Ferreira at PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants, on 19th October 2024. And guess how much the former UFC heavyweight champion would earn from his PFL debut. Well, it’s certainly more than what he earned against Fury. Bisping continued, “In this fight against Renan Ferreira, according to Forbes, he’s making $12 million.” 

But why did Dana White say otherwise? Let’s find out what exactly transpired between Ngannou and his former boss, as the heat continues to rise.

Francis Ngannou lashes out at Dana White for doubting his paycheck

Not too long ago, during the press conference for DWCS season 8, a reporter asked White about the reason why he never really revealed the amount of money that Ngannou would have received fighting against Jones. But the UFC head honcho simply couldn’t care less. He said, “I don’t give a s–t. What’s the difference? Because I know all the s–t you people don’t know. And I don’t care what everybody says, doesn’t matter to me. But that’s a fact. He was offered more money. Coz I know, I know the real numbers. I know the real numbers.”

When Ariel Helwani, in his conversation with Ngannou, revealed what the UFC CEO thought of his boxing salary, Ngannou got ready to bring out the proof. ‘The Predator’ said, “If this continues, if you [Dana White] want, I can bring all the numbers. I have all the numbers. I have the receipts… No [on bringing up the numbers]… I don’t like to bring numbers up. [But] if I need to, I will.”

Later on, Ngannou disclosed that it wasn’t money that pushed him away from the UFC. Instead, it was the lack of freedom. At PFL, the heavyweight is free to do whatever he wants. Be it boxing or fighting with no holds barred, for Ngannou the prospects are endless. And money simply followed his footprints. 

What are your thoughts on MMA athletes planning to box for more money? Do you think Ngannou would have got more money had he stayed in the UFC? Let us know what you think in the comments down below.