Former champion defends Francis Ngannou and questions accusations made by Dana White.

K. Usman (right) was one of F. Ngannou's (left) main training partners for the UFC 270. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

After Dana White revealed shocking details about alleged assaults by Francis NgannouOne of the closest friends of the former heavyweight champion (up to 120,2 kg) came forward to defend the Cameroonian and question the allegations made by the UFC CEO. While discussing the matter on the latest edition of... Espaitec's 'Pound 4 Pound' with Henry CejudoThe Nigerian Nightmare proved resistant to believing that the interactions described by the bald man could have happened in the way he reported.

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According to Usman, the possibility of Ngannou feeling comfortable adopting intimidating behavior in the way described by the UFC CEO doesn't seem compatible with the fighter's personality, who is currently under contract with the PFL.

“Look, I wasn’t there, but I don’t think it happened that way. All I’m saying is that it’s hard to believe that someone could go to Dana White and say, ‘Go back to your office, Dana, get your checkbook. Give me $50.’ And then, ‘Oh, Hunter, are you leaving? Come back here, Hunter. We’re not finished talking yet.’”

Dana White poses next to Francis Ngannou. Photo: Reproduction/@francis_ngannou

The former welterweight champion (up to 77,1kg) acknowledged Ngannou's intimidating appearance, one of the greatest knockout artists in the sport's history, but also cited Dana White's power as leader of the organization and his prominence in the specialized media.

“It’s hard to believe, because, look, it’s Dana White here. Dana, just like Francis, has this… this aura around Francis, which makes you know: ‘OK, I can’t mess around here. I need to be very careful.’ He has that aura, but in that sense, because Francis is a fighter and has that intimidating aura, Dana White also has a different aura, because Dana White is the head of the UFC. Dana White is that figure. So, everyone who gets close to Dana White knows they need to behave appropriately,” he concluded.