The much-anticipated matchup between Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones is desired by both fighters and the PFL, with the possibility hinging on UFC’s willingness to collaborate, despite their historical reluctance for cross-promotion.
Francis Ngannou vs. Jon Jones is the matchup everyone craves. Especially Ngannou and the PFL.
On Saturday, Ngannou chimed in on a tweet from Jones. The UFC heavyweight champ was addressing critics accusing him of dodging interim champ Tom Aspinall.
Ngannou seemed to back Jones but hinted there’s one colossal fight that could skyrocket his legacy.
“Blessings make haters uncomfortable, but they can’t change it,” Ngannou stated. “There’s only one fight, the right fight that will multiply your blessings.”
He wrapped up with a hashtag: #NgannouvsJones.
The sentiment echoes PFL CEO Peter Murray’s views. He spoke to talkSPORT MMA during Friday’s 2024 PFL World Championships event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Murray was quizzed about the possibility of a future bout between Jones and Ngannou. Both teased this matchup when they were under the UFC banner. However, Ngannou left UFC in 2023 to join PFL and pursue boxing, while Jones transitioned to heavyweight, winning two championship fights.
The idea of Ngannou and Jones—ranked No. 2 and No. 3 in MMA Fighting Global Rankings—facing off remains enticing. Murray hopes the UFC would consider collaborating with PFL.
“We’re supportive of it,” Murray said about the potential clash. “The fighters want it, Jon wants it, Francis wants it, we want it, our partners here in Saudi want it. It boils down to whether the UFC wants to get involved or not.”
Historically, the UFC has shied away from cross-promotion. A notable exception was the Mayweather vs. McGregor bout in August 2017, where UFC partnered with Mayweather Promotions for a lucrative crossover event.
Ngannou vs. Jones might not reach those heights, making a UFC-PFL partnership unlikely. Still, Murray is happy with Ngannou’s journey with PFL so far.
Ngannou’s contract lets him box, leading to matchups with Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua before his PFL debut last October.
Ngannou bounced back from a knockout loss to Joshua with a resounding KO of Ferreira at PFL’s Battle of the Giants event. This victory came six months after the tragic loss of his infant son, Kobe.
“He’s an incredible human and fighter,” Murray remarked. “That fight against Renan Ferreira was more than just a fight for Francis. Despite losing his son, he chose to return and channel his energy into the cage. I was thrilled for him.”