UFC heavyweight champ Francis Ngannou’s next step is the subject of great speculation, but right now, Dana White isn’t sure how things are going to turn out.
The UFC president knows that communication channels are open again. White’s defeat and post-fight press conference at UFC 270, were not attended by White, he stated that they had recently had a meal together before Ngannou returned to Africa.
” We had dinner with Francis prior to he returned to Cameroon. He will be back in a couple of weeks and we’ll meet again when he returns home,” White said to reporters during the UFC 271 press conference.
White slammed critics for his absence over the past month, despite the fact that Ngannou’s contract has poor optics. He has stated that he will not fight according to his old contract and has voiced concerns about unjust pay and treatment. This has drawn support from UFC veterans like Randy Couture.
Ngannou stated that he would like to resign from the UFC, but put it on promotion to accept his demands for better pay and more flexibility. He also wants the possibility of boxing.
It’s believed that despite his contract’s end, Ngannou remains bound to the UFC by a champion’s clause that will expire either in one year or with three additional fights. Details of his deal, including the start date of what he said is a five-year contract, is unknown.
He outpointed Ciryl Gane at UFC 270, Ngannou, putting himself in unfamiliar territory as an active UFC champion having fought through his contract. He also injured his knee, potentially delaying the resolution of his status with the promotion.
White confirmed Ngannou will need surgery to repair his knee. The promotion may offer an interim title to Ngannou, just as they did with Gane and Derrick Lewis when scheduling problems led to the fight at UFC 265,. However, the UFC executive was less certain.
“I don’t know yet,” White said. We’ll watch how it turns out .”
On Saturday, Lewis faces fellow heavyweight slugger Tai Tuivasa. Lewis, a former title challenger in UFC Fight Championships, aims to maintain his position while Tuivasa makes his case for the title shot. White said the winner will certainly be in a good position, but stopped short of promising anything more.
