Fedor Emelianenko recently addressed speculation about a potential fight with Francis Ngannou, clarifying that his comments about facing the former UFC heavyweight champion were in the context of a boxing match and not mixed martial arts. Emelianenko also used the opportunity to voice strong criticism of UFC CEO Dana White regarding past contract negotiations between himself and the promotion.
Ngannou Fight Rumors Clarified
Reports emerged following Emelianenko's remarks to Ushatayka, as translated by Red Corner MMA, where he discussed a hypothetical boxing match with Francis Ngannou. Emelianenko stated that while he would be interested in fighting Ngannou under boxing rules, his body could no longer handle the rigors of MMA competition due to numerous injuries. He emphasized that this was a 'dream scenario' he had mentioned when asked by a fan, and not an indication of active negotiations.
Francis Ngannou, known for his formidable striking power, concluded his UFC tenure with a UFC record of 12-2-0 across 14 fights. His last five UFC victories, prior to his departure, were all decisive, including a unanimous decision win over Ciryl Gane in January 2022 at UFC 270, and a knockout victory against Stipe Miocic in March 2021 at UFC 260. Ngannou, who was 35 years old at the time of his last UFC fight, stands at 6 feet 4 inches tall with an 83-inch reach and fights from an Orthodox stance. His impressive UFC win streak before his final fight stood at five, demonstrating his dominance in the heavyweight division. Ngannou has since transitioned to professional boxing, engaging in high-profile bouts.
Criticism of Dana White
Beyond the fight rumors, Emelianenko sharply criticized Dana White, accusing the UFC executive of inconsistency and a lack of integrity in business dealings. Speaking to Ushatayka, Emelianenko claimed that White 'simply doesn't stand by his words' and that his approach to business 'doesn't sit well' with him. Emelianenko recounted that the UFC frequently showed interest in signing him only when he was already under contract with rival promotions, such as Strikeforce, and not when he was a free agent.
According to Emelianenko, this pattern suggested that the UFC's intent was not always to genuinely sign him, but rather to potentially hinder his ability to compete for other organizations or draw him into legal disputes. He specifically referenced a meeting in 2009, after his victory over Brett Rogers, where he felt the UFC's actions were aimed at pressuring him rather than securing a legitimate deal. Emelianenko, who officially retired from MMA in February 2023 after a loss to Ryan Bader at Bellator 290, expressed his preference for business partners who honor their word without needing extensive contracts.
By the numbers
| Fighter | UFC record | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| Francis Ngannou | 12-2-0 | unranked |
UFC records count UFC fights only. Records and rankings from UFC Stats and ufc.com.
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