Dana White Takes Responsibility for Francis Ngannou's Erasure from UFC Video
In a recent turn of events, UFC President Dana White found himself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Last week, as the anticipation for UFC 305 built up, fans noticed something strange—Francis Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion, had been completely scrubbed from a UFC Countdown video. This removal didn't go unnoticed, especially by Israel Adesanya, who publicly called out the UFC for attempting to erase Ngannou’s legacy.
The controversy quickly gained traction, prompting the media to press White for answers during a post-fight press conference at Dana White's Contender Series. Initially, White claimed to be in the dark about the video or the removal of Ngannou's name. He expressed surprise, stating, "I don’t know about this. If that’s true and that was done, and it was something that we produced, then somebody in the company made that decision."
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However, the story didn’t end there. White, known for his straightforward approach, later called MMA reporter Kevin Iole and issued a formal apology, taking full responsibility for the situation. "My production team are a bunch of rock stars, and they are truly f—ing awesome," White acknowledged. "I make it so hard on them sometimes with some of the crazy s—t I say, and it’s tough. But at the end of the day, the fact that it happened falls on me 100 percent. It’s my responsibility, and I accept it."
White explained that someone on the production team had edited out Ngannou’s name, likely thinking it was what White would have wanted, given his past remarks about Ngannou. However, White clarified that this was not his intention, and had he been aware of it, he would not have allowed the edit. He went on to apologize directly to Adesanya, acknowledging the mistake and reaffirming Ngannou's place in UFC history.
Interestingly, while White reached out to Adesanya to make amends, there was no mention of a direct apology to Ngannou himself. Ngannou, who left the UFC after a highly publicized contract dispute and a proposed fight with Jon Jones that never materialized, has since signed with the PFL. He is set to make his debut on October 19th against Renan Ferreira, the 2023 PFL heavyweight champion, in what promises to be a highly anticipated bout.
This incident highlights the complexities of the relationships within the UFC, especially when former champions like Ngannou move on to other promotions. Despite White’s initial denial, his eventual acceptance of responsibility reflects a rare moment of accountability in the high-stakes world of mixed martial arts.
Ngannou's legacy, as Adesanya rightly pointed out, is indelible, and attempts to erase it are not only futile but also damaging to the sport's history. As the UFC continues to grow, incidents like these serve as a reminder of the importance of preserving the legacies of its fighters, regardless of where their careers take them next.
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