Francis Ngannou has clarified the necessary steps for his long-anticipated heavyweight showdown with Jon Jones to finally take place.
UFC legend and two-division champion Jon Jones issued a challenge to Ngannou recently, following hints from Ngannou`s coach Eric Nicksick about a possible UFC return. Ngannou, a former UFC heavyweight champion, is currently under contract with PFL, where he holds fighting, executive, and ambassadorial responsibilities.
PFL has previously shown flexibility in allowing Ngannou to compete outside their promotion, notably in boxing matches against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. This willingness suggests they could potentially facilitate a historic crossover heavyweight clash.
Ngannou Signals Willingness for Jones Fight
Francis Ngannou, typically quiet on social media platform X, responded swiftly after Jon Jones`s public challenge. He indicated acceptance of the proposed fight, highlighting that both fighters would need to navigate their current promotional contracts and affiliations.
Jones originally posted on X, stating: “I’m hearing Francis Ngannou is still interested… now we’re talking. That’s a real super fight. A clash of champions, not just hype. He held the UFC belt, I’ve defended mine for over a decade. Two kings from different roads. Not just one legend facing a mouth that’s hot right now, but two real legacies colliding. That’s the kind of fight that actually adds something special to my story. At least from my point of view.”
Ngannou responded: “You take care of the UFC, I’ll take care of the PFL. And we’ll finally find out who’s the KING OF THE HEAVYWEIGHT.” This implies both fighters need to secure agreement from their respective promotions.
While PFL executives like Donn Davis and Peter Murray have openly expressed interest in this potential bout, getting UFC CEO Dana White on board might be more challenging. White has stated he will not work with Ngannou again following the fighter`s contentious departure from the UFC in 2023, where he vacated the heavyweight title.
Controversy Arises as Jones Appears to Overlook Tom Aspinall
A significant factor in any potential Ngannou vs. Jones bout is the position of interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall. The British fighter has long sought an undisputed title fight against Jones, but the possibility seems increasingly distant.
There`s a possibility that Aspinall might be sidelined from the title picture to make way for Ngannou, who never technically lost the undisputed title in the cage. The debate over the legitimate heavyweight champion between Jones and Aspinall often leads to arguments that Ngannou, as the lineal champion, holds the most compelling claim.
Ngannou has indeed presented himself as the lineal champion in his recent boxing matches and his single PFL fight. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has become a significant venue for him, known for facilitating major combat sports events and deals, even bringing together promoters who were previously unwilling to collaborate.
However, arranging a reunion between Dana White and Ngannou appears improbable currently, especially considering the reported strained relationship between the UFC CEO and Saudi sports figure Turki Alalshikh.
Jones faced significant criticism online, with fans accusing him of avoiding Aspinall. He responded on X, stating: “You clowns thinking, Francis would be that much easier because of the ground game. Tom has no ground game either. In English black belt is like getting a participation ribbon.”
Benedict Kingsley 
Rupert Hartwell