Dana White shuts down Francis Ngannou returning to UFC, Ngannou responds

Tom Aspinall may need opponents now that Jon Jones is retired but don’t expect him to get matched up with Francis Ngannou any time soon.

Following news that Jones was retired from the sport with Aspinall being promoted to undisputed heavyweight champion, UFC CEO Dana White was asked about the possibility of bringing Ngannou back to the promotion. While the entire conversation about Ngannou potentially returning to the UFC came from an off-the-cuff comment from Ngannou’s coach Eric Nicksick, White still shot down his interest in pursuing “The Predator” even if he was interested in coming back.

“One thing I’ve learned over the years about Francis — Francis doesn’t always mean what he says publicly,” White said at the UFC Baku post-fight press conference. “What he says behind the scenes are different than what he says publicly.

“I’m not a big fan. I would be shocked if Francis ever came back here on lots of different levels. I’m not a fan and he doesn’t always mean what he says publicly.”

The very public split between Ngannou and the UFC came after he became heavyweight champion and then defended his title against Ciryl Gane but then he was forced out of action for the better part of the next year while recovering from knee surgery.

The Gane fight also served as the final bout on Ngannou’s contract, and he was never able to come to terms with the UFC on a new deal.

The biggest sticking point for Ngannou was his desire to pursue crossover fights in boxing after he engaged in a very public spat with then heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. There were other issues that Ngannou had regarding a new deal with the UFC but he was primarily attempting to maintain more control over his future without as many contract restrictions.

In the end, the two sides split up with Ngannou ultimately signing with PFL on a lucrative, multi-fight deal. He also got his wish to try out boxing with Ngannou losing a razor close decision when he finally got into the ring with Fury but then he suffered a brutal knockout loss to Anthony Joshua in his second bout.

Ngannou remains under contract with the PFL so his availability to return to the UFC seems highly unlikely no matter what’s been said publicly.

Either way, White doesn’t seem interested in extending any kind of olive branch, and he’s ready to move forward with the UFC heavyweight division as it stands with Aspinall as champion.

Ngannou responded to the latest rumors on X on Saturday night.