UFC superstar turned boxer Francis Ngannou faces two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua on Friday, and despite plans to return to MMA, Ngannou cared little about the opinion of UFC president Dana White, who has been a critic in the past.
Ngannou’s decision to leave the UFC whilst reigning as the heavyweight champion was one that was concerning for White and the MMA community, although many fans felt the 37-year-old was being underpaid in relation to what he would get for a move into boxing.
Reports suggest that Ngannou earned around $10 million for his clash with Tyson Fury back in October, a whopping 16 times his most recent UFC fight, where he defended the heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane.
For the contest against Joshua, the Cameroonian is poised for at least double the purse that he received for facing ‘The Gypsy King’.
Speaking to Seconds Out, ‘The Predator’ admitted that he would relish the opportunity to face UFC rival Jon Jones in the cage one day, before adding that he cares little about what Dana White thinks of his apparently wise business-decision to make the switch to boxing.
“I don’t think that me and Jon Jones will box, that’s not interesting, I am not interested about that. But, I think that me and Jon Jones will get in the cage. I think so, that’s where we are going to finish that business, in the Octagon.
“I don’t give a s**t about what Dana White thinks [of my move to boxing]. That is his problem.”
Therefore, a long-awaited showdown between Jones and Ngannou may be required to take place outside of the UFC and potentially in the PFL, Ngannou’s new MMA promotion. a possibility that would likely keep Dana White up at night.