Dana White’s repeated public refusal to work with Francis Ngannou, most recently in September 2026 when he labeled the former champion a “bad guy” and placed him on his permanent “do not do business with” list, remains the dominant factor shaping trader sentiment. The acrimonious 2023 split, driven by contract disputes and title-stripping, has shown no signs of thawing, with Ngannou confirming the divide as irreversible in his response. At age 40, Ngannou has competed sparingly in MMA since departing the UFC, securing just one PFL win before parting ways in March 2026 and delivering a first-round knockout for MVP in May. His focus has shifted toward boxing paydays and free agency outside the Octagon, leaving no credible pathway for a UFC return by year-end amid the sustained animosity.