Dana White Didn't Put Belt On Francis
Background
Francis Ngannou is a Cameroonian-French professional mixed martial artist who competes in the heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is known for his striking power and has won several awards for his performances in the UFC. In March 2021, Ngannou won the UFC Heavyweight Championship title by defeating Stipe Miocic in a stunning knockout. The fight took place at the UFC 260 event and it was one of the most anticipated fights in recent years.
The Controversy
After Ngannou had won the title, the UFC President Dana White did not put the belt on him. Instead, he handed it to Ngannou’s coach, Fernand Lopez. This was a departure from the usual practice where the UFC President puts the belt on the new champion.
The reason for this departure is not clear. Some people speculated that it was because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to maintain social distancing. Others believed that it was because of the strained relationship between White and Ngannou. Ngannou had previously expressed his dissatisfaction with how the UFC had treated him and had even threatened to leave the organization if he did not get a title shot.
The Aftermath
The decision not to put the belt on Ngannou at the UFC 260 event did not go unnoticed. Many fans and commentators took to social media to express their disappointment and frustration with the decision. Some even accused White of being disrespectful to Ngannou and undermining his achievement.
However, Ngannou himself did not seem to be too bothered by the decision. In an interview after the fight, he said that he did not care who put the belt on him as long as he had won it. He also thanked White for giving him the opportunity to fight for the title.
Conclusion
The controversy over Dana White not putting the belt on Francis Ngannou at the UFC 260 event has divided opinions. While some see it as a sign of disrespect towards the new champion, others believe that it was a simple matter of social distancing. Only time will tell if this decision will have any lasting impact on the relationship between Dana White and Francis Ngannou.
