UFC President Dana White and UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou’s manager are going at each other on social media after UFC announced an interim heavyweight championship fight between Derrick Lewis and Ciryl Gane.
UFC recently announced that Derrick Lewis will be fighting Ciryl Gane for the interim UFC heavyweight championship at UFC 265 on August 7. Before this UFC was keen on making the fight between Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones. But as that fight never made it through, UFC moved to the next possible option which was Derrick Lewis. Dana White was trying to book Ngannou vs Lewis for UFC 265 on August 7. Ngannou was not ready to take that fight as he recently won the belt in March. He was ready to fight at UFC 266 in September but somehow UFC rejected that plan and instead decided to do an interim Title.
Francis Ngannou and his management seemed to be quite upset with Dana White and his decision. Ngannou and his Management said they are shocked seeing this fight happen.
I remember my interim title fight against Jairzinho …. oh wait 🙄
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) June 28, 2021
Nothing has been right here https://t.co/SIeM9uEfBG
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) June 28, 2021
Francis Ngannou’s Manager and Dana White
Francis Ngannou’s agent, Marquel Martin of CAA Sports, released a statement to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, which was posted on Instagram.
Tensions rising publicly between Dana White and Marquel Martin (Ngannou's manager from CAA) on social media.
(Via @bokamotoESPN's Instagram) pic.twitter.com/xtI6Q6PgfN
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) June 29, 2021
“This comes as a complete chock. To make an interim title so soon, if you look at the history of this division, it comes as a surprise. Francis is just now returning to the States to begin training, and he just won the title three months ago. We’re unsure of what the resoning is behind this, but we hope to get clairty soon and figure out something with the UFC soon. At the end of the day, they’re in control of these actions.”
UFC President Dana White didn’t sit well with all these statements and he immediately fired back with some more bold comments on this situation.
“This dude is SO FULL OF SH*T!!!” White wrote in his reply. “He knows EXACTLY what’s going on and isn’t “shocked” at all. Because we told him several times this was coming. His Management is incompetent and hopefully Francis starts taking a look at new people to help his career.”
Marquel Martin wasn’t holding back either and was ready to go all guns blazing and asked Dana White to reveal their messages and more.
“@danawhite lol… complete shock with your decision with your decision after we said September was good for us? Complete shock that you guys made threats after less than 3 months after you all were aware,” Martin responded to White. “Complete shock after You KNEW why Francis needed more time. That is correct. I know you’re passionate but you trying to discredit my integrity when I’ve been nothing but respectful to you, Hunter, and your entire staff? Speaks more about you than it does me. I’m not even mad, I’m actually impressed that I’ve gotten your attention. Incompetent management?? I think we’ve done a damn good job
“I think you REALLY don’t like the fact that Francis is being represented by not only me but an entire agency…one of which you can’t control,” Martin added in his response to White. “Hence why you have people trying to rep him all the time to your benefit. I tell you what, let’s disclose EVERYTHING for people to see. Emails, calls, texts, everything. Deal?? Cuz I’m ready to get blackballed by UFC…I’m not defined by it, you or anyone else for that matter. How’s that sound. Sincerely, your old employee – Marquel Martin.”
The way UFC has handled the UFC heavyweight division is very surprising for many people. First the Jon Jones situation and now the interim title. More information regarding this will be out soon till then it looks like UFC will shortly get its interim heavyweight champion between Derrick Lewis and Ciryl Gane.
Purchase the UFC merch here.
Click to Predict here.
Download the Fanatics Fantasy MMA app here.