Dana White breaks silence on Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou with surprise three-word comment on ex-UFC champ

DANA WHITE has had his say on Francis Ngannou’s upcoming showdown with Tyson Fury.

The former UFC heavyweight champion finalised a lucrative exhibition bout with The Gypsy King last month – six months after his departure from the promotion.

Ngannou – who has never boxed professionally – will bid to become the first man to defeat WBC heavyweight king Fury.

UFC supremo White was one of the most vocal critics of a potential Fury vs Ngannou clash following their impromptu Wembley face-off last May.

But he’s seemingly happy the promotion’s former heavyweight king has secured the biggest payday of his career.

During the UFC 293 post-fight press conference, he said: “Good for him.”

White blasted the fight after the pair went head to head on ESPN – the UFC’s broadcast partners – last May.

He told thePat McAfee Show: “I don’t love the crossover fights. I don’t love ’em.

“‘Cause they’re f*****g’ stupid, f*****g’ waste of time, energy, and money. … It’s silly, but I get it.

“Boxing is a massive advantage for Tyson Fury. Ngannou just wrestled Ciryl Gane.

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“If you know anything about fighting, it’s a silly conversation.”

Ngannou’s seven-year stint in the UFC came to an end in December after he failed to agree a new contract with the promotion.

The Cameroonian clubber has since signed a lucrative contract with the Professional Fighters League, who are allowing him to take part in his crossover clash with Fury.

White, 54, was left stunned by Ngannou’s contract with the fast-rising promotion.

He said: “Based on what I know about the deal, which is not much, it makes no sense to me.

“You’re going to pay a guy not to fight for a year, and it’s already been like [14] months.

“He’s fought three times in the last three years. It’s just not what we do here. It’s not what we do.

“And the day that we released him, I knew exactly what was going to happen.

“Francis wants to take zero risks, doesn’t want to take any chances, and he obviously didn’t want to take a chance with Jon Jones — and after we saw what happened with Ciryl Gane, I don’t blame him.

“I think the outcome would’ve been exactly the same, and I’m sure most of you do and I’m sure Francis does too.”

Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk