Dana White Rules Out Francis Ngannou's UFC Return

UFC president Dana White has definitively ruled out any possibility of Francis Ngannou returning to the UFC, further diminishing the chances of a fight between Ngannou and retired former UFC champion Jon Jones. White made these comments during an appearance on Nightcap, highlighting Ngannou's contentious history with the UFC.

Ngannou left the UFC in January 2023 after a prolonged dispute over his contract and future, resulting in the loss of his heavyweight title. White referred to Ngannou as being on his "Oscar De La Hoya list," indicating a refusal to engage with him due to his perceived negative reputation.

Ngannou subsequently joined the Professional Fighters League, where he became chairman of PFL Africa and won a fight against Renan Ferreira in 2024 before leaving the organization in March 2026. He has since focused on boxing, facing notable opponents like Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.

White praised Jon Jones during the interview, calling him "the baddest dude to ever walk the face of the earth.".