Sports · Combat Sports · 6 hrs ago
Fedor Emelianenko accuses Dana White of changing his story about UFC talks
Fedor Emelianenko criticized UFC chief Dana White over the promotion’s attempts to sign him.
Emelianenko, a Russian heavyweight who never fought in the UFC, said the promotion showed interest when he was under contract elsewhere but not when he was free to negotiate.
He said accepting an offer while contracted to another promotion could have led to legal proceedings that stopped him competing.
Emelianenko accused White of changing his explanation for why the UFC did not sign him and said he did not trust White’s way of doing business.
He also denied negotiating an MMA fight with former UFC champion Francis Ngannou, saying they had discussed only a hypothetical boxing match.
Emelianenko competed mainly in Pride FC and later Bellator, where he lost to Ryan Bader in 2023 before retiring.
He has not ruled out an MMA return, but no return fight is announced.
Fedor Emelianenko accused UFC CEO Dana White of changing his account of why the UFC did not sign him.
Emelianenko said the UFC was not interested when he was a free agent but made offers while he was under contract elsewhere.
He said signing another deal could have led to legal proceedings.
White has said the UFC offered Emelianenko substantial money and that he was glad the fighter did not sign.
Emelianenko also denied negotiating a fight with Francis Ngannou, saying he had discussed only a hypothetical boxing matchup.
- Who
- Fedor Emelianenko and UFC CEO Dana White.
- What
- Emelianenko accused White of changing his account of the UFC's attempts to sign him.
- When
- Emelianenko's comments were reported on October 29, 2026. The date of the interview was not stated.
- Where
- Emelianenko spoke to the Russian YouTube channel Ushatayka.
- Why
- Emelianenko said the UFC pursued him when he was under contract elsewhere, but did not sign him when he was a free agent.
Fedor Emelianenko
Dana White
Why the UFC did not sign Emelianenko
Fedor Emelianenko
Emelianenko said the UFC did not sign him when he was a free agent and pursued him when he was under contract elsewhere.
Dana White
White has said the UFC was glad it did not sign Emelianenko because the money offered would have been detrimental if he had accepted.
Emelianenko's account of White's comments
Fedor Emelianenko
Emelianenko said White changes his story and does not stand by his words.
Dana White
White's account, as described in the articles, is that the UFC offered Emelianenko substantial money and that his demands included owning a share of the UFC.
Emelianenko said the UFC did not sign him when he was free.
Emelianenko said the UFC made offers, which he said could have exposed him to legal proceedings if he signed another contract.
Articles reported Emelianenko's criticism of White in an interview with Ushatayka.
- Fighter
- Fedor Emelianenko
- UFC chief executive
- Dana White
- Interview outlet
- Ushatayka
- Reported
- October 29, 2026
- Other fighter mentioned
- Francis Ngannou
3 sources
What people are saying
The man talks and changes his story. He simply doesn’t stand by his words.
When I’m free, they aren’t interested. When I’m under contract, the offers start coming, but if you’re under contract, you can’t sign another one. There would be legal proceedings.