Francis Ngannou Lands $30M Payday, Joe Rogan Cheers While Dana White Seethes
Los Angeles, CA – The world of mixed martial arts was abuzz with anticipation for a heavyweight clash between Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones. Fans were eager to see Ngannou, a knockout powerhouse, take on Jones, the acclaimed “Bones” of the Octagon. But as Ngannou stepped away from the UFC to explore boxing, the fight fans’ dream seemed to drift further away. Ngannou’s departure didn’t just rattle the MMA world; it stirred the pot between him, UFC President Dana White, and a very vocal Joe Rogan.
Ngannou’s Leap into the Boxing Ring
Ngannou, who left the UFC in December 2022, was driven by a desire for greater freedom and the lure of boxing’s lucrative rewards. His foray into the boxing world saw him face off against the formidable Tyson Fury and later, Anthony Joshua. Despite falling short in both bouts, Ngannou’s wallet felt the impact—$10 million from the Fury fight and a staggering $20 million from the Joshua bout.
Joe Rogan, UFC’s color commentator and podcast host, has been vocal about his support for Ngannou’s new path. On a recent episode of the JRE MMA Show, Rogan expressed his admiration for Ngannou’s financial success, despite the mixed results in the ring. “I’m thrilled he went out there and got paid. People were dismissing him, including Dana, but he showed he’s a serious competitor,” Rogan remarked. He went on to highlight Ngannou’s resilience, even after his boxing setbacks.
The UFC color commentator said, “I’m happy that he went and got paid. I’m happy that he got that money for the Tyson Fury fight, ‘cause everybody was dismissing it, Dana was dismissing it, and then he drops Tyson Fury, and in a lot of people’s eyes won the fight. Like f**k yeah! And then he gets a big payday against Joshua. I’m happy that he made money.”
However, the JRE host wished for the former heavyweight champion to fight in the UFC. Rogan said, “But I wish he would have made that money in the UFC. My dream fight was at heavyweight, Jon Jones and Francis.”
Rogan’s Public Endorsement and White’s Frustration
Rogan’s enthusiastic endorsement has only rubbed salt in Dana White’s wounds. White was initially resistant to Ngannou’s exit, viewing it as a blow to the UFC’s heavyweight division. While White’s discontent was palpable, Rogan’s comments, which celebrated Ngannou’s success and financial gains, added a layer of public scrutiny to the situation.
Rogan, however, remains wistful about the missed opportunity to see Ngannou compete in the UFC. “My dream fight was always Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou. It’s a matchup that could have been legendary,” Rogan lamented, reflecting on what could have been a marquee fight in MMA history.
He said, “I am excited and honored to serve as chairman of PFL Africa. A league that will shape the very foundation of African MMA. As we have seen, there is great wealth of talent in Africa just waiting to be given a global stage. I am so very proud to give back to my homeland and to provide great content to a region with such a passionate and diverse fan base.”
Ngannou’s New Role: Chairman of PFL Africa
As Ngannou’s boxing journey continues, he has also made headlines for his latest role as Chairman of PFL Africa. Announcing his new position on Instagram, Ngannou expressed his pride and excitement, emphasizing his commitment to nurturing African MMA talent. “I’m honored to serve as Chairman of PFL Africa. This league will lay the groundwork for African MMA and give talented fighters from my homeland a global platform,” Ngannou stated.
Despite the enthusiasm for his new role, many fans are left wondering about Ngannou’s future in the fighting arena. His move to PFL has generated mixed reactions, with some fans disheartened by the lack of immediate fights and others eager to see how he will influence the sport from his new position.
The Lingering Questions
The saga of Francis Ngannou’s career maintains to spark debate. Did Ngannou make the proper decision by way of leaving the UFC for boxing and now PFL? Will fans ever see the epic conflict among Ngannou and Jones, or is it a lost opportunity? As Ngannou charts his new route in MMA control and continues his boxing endeavors, only time will inform how his legacy will unfold.
For now, Rogan’s aid and Ngannou’s considerable earnings highlight a complex narrative of ambition, contention, and the search for greatness inside the international of fight sports activities.
