Dana White to critics of decision to book interim heavyweight title fight: ‘Shut the [expletive] up’

The UFC – and its combative president Dana White – have come under some criticism for booking an interim heavyweight title fight between Derrick Lewis and Ciryl Gane, set to take place in August at UFC 265, just a few months after Francis Ngannou won the undisputed belt by defeating Stipe Miocic at UFC 260.

Ngannou’s management team claim that their preferred matchup (Ngannou vs. Lewis) was sabotaged by the fact that White wanted the champion to be ready for the August 7th PPV card (perhaps cognizant of Lewis’ notoriety in Houston where the event will be hosted), while Ngannou’s team would not be ready until September. 

“Who gives a [expletive],” White told MMA Junkie on Tuesday. “You wanna fight? I got fights for you. You don’t have to fight,” adding that “whoever wins… can fight Francis when it’s time.”

White went on to say that the fact that Ngannou’s first defence will come against the winner of this interim title fight would make it a better legacy fight for the champion. “It’ll be champion vs. champion,” said White.