The UFC has found itself at the center of controversy once again after Israel Adesanya accused the organization, specifically UFC president Dana White, of attempting to erase the legacy of former heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. The controversy erupted during the UFC 305 promotional events, where Adesanya, a former middleweight champion, claimed that Ngannou’s name had been deliberately removed from the event’s promotional materials.
Adesanya’s comments came after fans noticed that during the UFC 305 countdown and pre-sale conference videos, any mention of Francis Ngannou had been conspicuously absent. Adesanya, known for being outspoken, didn’t hold back, calling out the UFC for seemingly downplaying Ngannou’s accomplishments. “You can never erase Francis’ history from the UFC. I’ll say that,” Adesanya remarked, defending his fellow fighter and questioning the UFC’s motives.
The tensions between Ngannou and the UFC began earlier when Ngannou departed the organization under less-than-amicable circumstances. The former heavyweight champ had been a dominant force in the division, beloved by fans for his knockout power and humble demeanor. However, contract negotiations with the UFC turned sour as Ngannou pushed for more flexibility in his contract, particularly in regard to fighter pay and health insurance benefits. Dana White, however, accused Ngannou of avoiding a potential fight with Jon Jones, claiming the fighter was not prepared to take on such a risk.
Since then, Dana White and Francis Ngannou’s relationship has deteriorated, with White openly criticizing Ngannou’s decisions and Ngannou firing back, accusing the UFC of failing to support its fighters. Now, with Adesanya’s recent accusations, the rift has only widened.
During a press conference for the Dana White Contender Series, Dana White was questioned by the media regarding Adesanya’s claims of Ngannou’s erasure from UFC history. White appeared visibly irritated by the question and shifted the blame onto others within the organization. “I don’t know about this. Do you know about this?” White responded when asked about the alleged omission. He then deflected responsibility by implying that if such a decision had been made, it would have been done by someone else in the production team. “If that was true and that was done, and it was something that we produced, then someday someone in the company made the decision. And if I did it, I would say, ‘I f**king did it, and this is why I did.’ But I don’t know anything about it.”
While White seemed dismissive of the idea that he personally had any role in omitting Ngannou from promotional materials, his response did little to quell the rumors that the UFC may be actively downplaying Ngannou’s legacy. It also highlighted the ongoing tension between the UFC and some of its fighters, who have been increasingly vocal about issues of fighter pay, contract restrictions, and perceived mistreatment.
Francis Ngannou’s era as heavyweight champion was a highlight for the UFC, with the French-Cameroonian fighter drawing in significant revenue and a large fanbase. However, his decision to leave the organization and pursue other opportunities outside the UFC clearly left a sour taste for Dana White and the UFC brass.
For now, the controversy remains unresolved, with both Dana White and Israel Adesanya standing firm in their positions. White’s apparent unwillingness to take responsibility for the situation has only fueled further speculation about the UFC’s handling of former champions who leave the organization under contentious circumstances.
As the UFC 305 event approaches, it remains to be seen whether this controversy will simmer down or continue to stir debate among fighters and fans alike. However, one thing is clear—Francis Ngannou’s legacy, whether acknowledged by the UFC or not, has left an indelible mark on the sport.