Francis Ngannou is open to fighting Jon Jones but doubts it will happen due to UFC CEO Dana White, and while he has moved on with his career in the PFL and boxing, he still believes he would have an advantage over Jones.
Francis Ngannou still dreams of a showdown with Jon Jones. Yet, he’s skeptical it’ll happen. Why? UFC CEO Dana White stands in the way.
“If you can get past Dana White, it could happen,” Ngannou told Sportsbook Review. “But honestly, I’m not losing sleep over it. I’m doing my thing.”
Ngannou’s career could end without fighting Jones, and he’d be fine. He’s been chasing this fight since battling Jairzinho Rozenstruik at UFC 249 in 2020.
“They dangled the fight like bait just as I was leaving,” Ngannou said. “It felt tricky.”
After leaving UFC as heavyweight champ, Ngannou joined the PFL in January 2023. Since then, he’s enjoyed two major boxing paydays against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
“The Predator” returned to MMA in October, debuting at Battle of the Giants. He demolished Renan Ferreira in round one via TKO.
Ngannou still has big fights ahead, both in MMA and boxing. If Jones never happens? He’s okay with that. Still believes he’d have the upper hand.
“Jon Jones would be epic,” Ngannou mused. “But my hope for that fight has faded.”
Ngannou respects Jones’ light heavyweight career—over a decade long! At heavyweight? Just two fights, barely three rounds total.
A dream deferred doesn’t bother Ngannou; he’s got his eyes on other battles yet to come.