Dana White: Another Interim Champ Could Be Crowned in Francis Ngannou’s Absence

Francis Ngannou just knocked off one interim heavyweight champion when he defeated Ciryl Gane in a title unification bout at UFC 270 this past January.

He may very well have to do it again when he returns from knee surgery. Shortly after Ngannou took a five-round verdict over Gane, his manager revealed that “The Predator” would undergo surgery to repair injuries to his MCL and ACL suffered in training ahead of that bout. The ensuing recovery process would require at least nine months. Ngannou underwent the procedure on Friday in Los Angeles, which included a full reconstruction on his ACL.

At the UFC Fight Night 204 post-fight press conference on Saturday, Dana White acknowledged the possibility that another interim heavyweight belt could be created in Ngannou’s absence.

“It’s very possible,” White said. “We find out this week [how long he’s out].

“If nine months is true, if it’s going to take nine months for him to get cleared to start training again. That’s almost a year before he would fight. So yeah, we would do an interim title.”

There’s also the matter of Ngannou’s contract. He completed his eight-fight deal with the Las Vegas-based promotion at UFC 270, but a champion’s clause makes things any pending free agency more complicated. Additionally, White has seemed confident that both sides will come to an agreement eventually.

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