In 2023, former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou left the MMA promotion to pursue high-profile boxing matches after contract negotiations fell through. He was stripped of his UFC title but went on to compete in boxing bouts.
Ngannou’s boxing debut in October 2023 against Tyson Fury ended in a split decision. However, his future in boxing was short-lived after facing Anthony Joshua and being knocked out in the second round.
Although Ngannou received significant paydays for his boxing matches, UFC CEO Dana White claimed that he would have made more if he stayed in the UFC and fought Jon Jones. White dismissed the idea that there is more money in boxing, calling it a myth.
During a recent interview with Kevin Iole, White criticized the notion that boxing is more financially lucrative, stating, “Boxing does not work. What makes it work? You need a Saudi trillionaire to make fights happen. Even they get tired of the BS. It’s all a myth.”
Ngannou reportedly made around $30 million during his short boxing career. Despite this, White insisted at a recent press conference that Ngannou would have earned more if he had stayed with the UFC, claiming to know the real numbers behind the scenes.
