Francis Ngannou has outlined the necessary steps for a potential heavyweight showdown with Jon Jones. The highly anticipated clash gained traction after Jones issued a challenge on social media, following hints from Ngannou`s coach about a possible UFC return.
Ngannou, currently signed with PFL in a fighting and executive role, has previously been permitted by PFL to compete outside their promotion, notably in boxing bouts against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. A fight with Jones could potentially involve PFL co-promotion.
Francis Ngannou Accepts Jon Jones` Challenge
Responding directly to Jones` callout on X, Ngannou accepted the challenge. He indicated that for the fight to materialize, both fighters would need to navigate their respective contractual situations.
Jones had initiated the conversation, stating on X that he heard Ngannou was still interested. He described the potential matchup as a “real super fight,” a collision of champions and established legacies, contrasting it with fights based purely on hype.
Ngannou`s concise reply was, “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 highlighted the need for both the UFC and PFL to agree.
While PFL executives have expressed enthusiasm for the fight, securing Dana White`s agreement presents a significant hurdle, given his previous vow not to work with Ngannou after his departure from the UFC in 2023.
Jon Jones` Callout and the Tom Aspinall Situation
A major point of contention surrounding the potential Ngannou-Jones fight is the status of interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall. Aspinall has long pursued a title unification bout with Jones and appears increasingly likely to be overlooked in favor of Ngannou.
Ngannou, who vacated the undisputed belt without losing it, is often considered the lineal heavyweight champion amidst the ongoing debate about the true titleholder between Jones and Aspinall.
Ngannou`s recent high-profile fights have taken place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, known for facilitating major combat sports events and bringing together promoters. However, orchestrating a return to the UFC involving Dana White seems challenging, possibly due to reported tensions with Saudi event organizers.
Jones faced considerable backlash online for seeming to dismiss Aspinall in favor of Ngannou. He responded to critics on X by questioning the significance of a black belt in English grappling (“like getting a participation ribbon”) and claiming Aspinall`s ground game was no better than Ngannou`s.
