Tag: PFL MMA

In a PFL press conference, the heavyweight king Francis Ngannou responded to Dana White’s recent words on a potential Jon Jones fight.

Francis Ngannou vs. Jon Jones

UFC president Dana White recently said that the UFC attempted to book Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou for the heavyweight title, but Ngannou didn’t want the fight. In the past, Dana White has explained that Jones was asking for too much money, but more recently he has different answers.

When asked about Dana White’s most recent comments on a Jon Jones fight, Ngannou explained:

“I was the one requesting Jon Jones. It was Jon Jones who didn’t want to fight me according to them. Every time they have the sit-down meeting they tell me ‘It can’t happen, Jon Jones doesn’t want to fight anymore’ … The guy who controls the narrative can say whatever he wants”

Francis Ngannou won the UFC heavyweight title in 2021 and vacated it in 2022. Jon Jones did not move up to heavyweight until 2023 and does not have any fights booked. Ngannou, the lineal champion, will face Renan Ferreira live from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on October 19 in the PFL. Since Jones has been inactive, Ngannou has taken multiple boxing matches against top-ranked athletes.

On trying to deal with Jon Jones in booking him against Ngannou, in 2021, Dana White had said:

“We tried to work with Jon, and we eventually have to move on because realistically, and in all honesty, Derrick Lewis is the guy who deserves the fight. Derrick Lewis is a heavyweight, he beat Francis Ngannou, he’s looked good in his last couple of fights, he’s ranked in the top three, I think, and he deserves the fight. That’s the fight that should happen. We’ll just roll and do what we do. When Jon’s ready, he’ll let us know.”

UFC President says that it is the fault of the former UFC heavyweight champion that we never say Francis Ngannou vs. Jon Jones. In a recent interview, White squarely points the finger at the Cameroonian athlete.

Francis Ngannou vs. Jon Jones

Let’s take a closer look at the timeline and clarify what Dana White said about Francis Ngannou vs. Jon Jones.

Jon Jones

Jon ‘Bones’ Jones has been a superstar in the UFC for more than a decade. The US-born star the record for the youngest champion in UFC history in 2011 and then defended his title against multiple former UFC champions. Legal issues, controversies, and performance-enhancing drugs have all been part of the Jones story in the UFC.

Francis Ngannou

Cameroon’s Francis Ngannou’s life story resonated with international audiences as an inspiration. He worked in mines as a child, was ready to die on his walk across Africa, was arrested, then homeless, and eventually became the UFC heavyweight champion.

Ngannou walked away from the UFC and joined the PFL. But having never lost the crown, Ngannou holds the lineal UFC heavyweight title which packs many more championships in MMA with it. He then booked blockbuster boxing matches against boxing champions and will compete in MMA later this year with the PFL, fighting in October.

He left the UFC over various issues citing treatment being top of the list. Now, he is free to box and fight in MMA. Plus, with the PFL, he is supporting children in Africa with his foundation and MMA organization.

Jones and Ngannou Timeline

Jon Jones fought in 2020 and vacated his light heavyweight title, but was inactive until 2023. Ngannou won the UFC heavyweight title in 2021, defended it in 2022, then left the UFC in 2022. ‘Bones’ Jones did not compete in heavyweight until 2023.

Francis Ngannou Opens Up About the Grief of Losing His Son Kobe pic.twitter.com/76bJgkTDPP

— Timothy Wheaton MMA (@TimWheatonMMA) August 8, 2024

Dana White

Despite the timeline making it clear who was not willing to fight, Dana White is still blaming Francis Ngannou. In a recent interview, he said:

“I have zero animosity towards Francis. Francis was out of my world a long time ago. [Sean Shelby] and Mick [Maynard] are another story. It’s a long story. [Shelby] did everything he could in his power to make Jon Jones vs. Francis. The fight did not happen and let me tell you what, it wasn’t because of Jon Jones.” [Ht MMAFighting]

White adds:

“Jon is one of the challenging guys to deal with”

Path to Jones vs. Ngannou

As it currently stands, Jon Jones has not fought since early 2023 but is not willing to face anyone except Stipe Miocic. Miocic has been inactive since 2021 and has not had a victory since 2020. Tom Aspinall is holding and defending the UFC heavyweight interim title, but Jones refuses to fight him.

Francis Ngannou has been booked to fight the powerful striker, the towering, Renan Ferreira on October 19. Ferreira knocked out the Bellator champion in just a few seconds and is also a PFL heavyweight champion.

Francis Ngannou wants to still fight Jon Jones, the PFL leaders and CEOs have said they are willing to book the fight, and the coaching staff of Ngannou said they’re ready. The only party refusing is Dana White and Jon Jones.

BREAKING: Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira was just confirmed hours ago. It will be taking place on October 19 in the Professional Fighters League. This fight event will feature the inaugural PFL Superfight Belts @francis_ngannou #PFLMMA pic.twitter.com/1sNKCqY8cv

— Timothy Wheaton MMA (@TimWheatonMMA) August 7, 2024

Ngannou said:

“I think the UFC have to figure it out and get to a point to figure out that some stuff can be done, maybe cross-promotion in order to give the fans what they want. To make this fight happen. As soon as they get that, as soon as they decide to give that to the fans, everything will be okay. All the parties are down for the fight except one.”

PFL leader Donn Davis said:

“The fight that I believe could happen is Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou. And I think that fight can happen in Saudi Arabia.”

In an interview, Donn Davis told me:

“Unlike the UFC, we would say yes to a fight, yes to an event, yes to [a] collaboration. Anything that is compelling. We’re not dogmatic about working with anybody on anything. But it’s gotta be a big idea. And then we’d say yes.”

Francis Ngannou is active in both boxing and MMA, facing challengers and world champions. His next match is on October 19 while Jones currently has nothing booked.

UFC President Dana White takes full responsibility for removing Francis Ngannou from UFC history. The Nigerian-Kiwi Israel Adesanya was not happy to see the removal of the former heavyweight champion.

Francis Ngannou and the UFC

The Cameroonian-born Francis Ngannou has had an incredible life story. He worked in sand mines as a child, traveled across a continent, was arrested, was homeless, then became UFC heavyweight champion and started a foundation in his hometown to support children there. Ngannou walked away from the UFC carrying the lineal heavyweight title and signed with the PFL and competed in blockbuster boxing fights. Now, with the PFL, he is creating a bigger legacy by building MMA in Africa.

The UFC has made videos claiming other fighters are the first Cameroonian athletes in UFC history, completely avoiding Francis Ngannou’s very existence. Adesanya had a complaint about this move and was not happy.

Dana White on Francis Ngannou

The UFC President Dana White has apologized for this in a private message to ‘The Last Stylebender’ Adesanya. In a press conference, White said:

“Someone was editing that and made a conscious decision, thinking that was the right thing to do… I didn’t know about it and that was nothing that ever came across my desk. I’m in charge of everything production-related, so at the end of the day, the fact that it happened falls on me 100 percent. It’s my responsibility and I accept it. Blame me for that. I put them in such a tough spot sometimes saying all this crazy shit, it’s hard for them… Totally on me. I already called Israel Adesanya and apologized for it.”

Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou

Jon Jones has been a UFC champion since 2011 and has been talking about a move to heavyweight for quite some time. Ngannou won the heavyweight title in early 2021 and would walk away from the UFC in 2022 with one title defense. Jones held the light heavyweight title during this period but did not take a fight at this time in any weight class. Instead, he waited until 2023 to move to heavyweight.

But, Dana White says the responsibility of that fight falling through lands on Ngannou. Dana White said:

“I have zero animosity towards Francis. Francis was out of my world a long time ago. [Sean Shelby] and Mick [Maynard] are another story. It’s a long story. [Shelby] did everything he could in his power to make Jon Jones vs. Francis. The fight did not happen and let me tell you what, it wasn’t because of Jon Jones.” [Ht MMAFighting]

Jon Jones is looking to book a fight against the aged Stipe Miocic, who has not been active, while declining to fight the interim champion Tom Aspinall. Francis Ngannou will face the knockout machine Renan Ferreira on October 19. The PFL and Ngannou have all recently said that they are willing to book a match against Jon Jones anytime.