Tag: PFL News

“I was the one requesting Jon Jones” Francis Ngannou Tried to book the heavyweight showdown

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

Francis Ngannou Jon Jones Dana White

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.

Francis Ngannou UFC Dana White Jon Jones

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.”

Dana White Blames Francis Ngannou Over Jon Jones Fight Falling Through

Jon Jones vs Francis Ngannou and Dana WhiteUFC President says that it is the fault of the former UFC heavyweight champion that we never say Francis…

Jon Jones vs Francis Ngannou and Dana White

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.

Joe Rogan claims Francis Ngannou and Tyson Fury fight wad fixed they could pull it off

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.

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”

Francis Ngannou confirms plan for PFL debut fight with Renan Ferreira in October

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.

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.

Dana White Takes Responsibility for Removing Francis Ngannou from UFC History

Francis Ngannou Dana WhiteUFC President Dana White takes full responsibility for removing Francis Ngannou from UFC history. The Nigerian-Kiwi Israel Adesanya was…

Francis Ngannou Dana White

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.

Francis Ngannou claims he was definitely robbed in boxing fight with Tyson Fury

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.”

Francis Ngannou confirms plan for PFL debut fight with Renan Ferreira in October

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.

Interim Champion Tom Aspinall
Interim Champion Tom Aspinall

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.

PFL 8 Results and Highlights: Impa Kasanganay and Brent Primus Advance to Finals

Impa Kasanganay PFL 8PFL 8 saw four semifinal matchups go down, two in each of the light heavyweight and lightweight divisions. Four…

Impa Kasanganay PFL 8

PFL 8 saw four semifinal matchups go down, two in each of the light heavyweight and lightweight divisions. Four men entered, but only two could reach the final. Now, for light heavyweight and lightweight we have our finalists who will compete for PFL gold, and a million dollars later this year.

PFL 8 2024 Highlights

Impa Kasanganay vs. Josh Silveira

Josh Silveira was looking to avenge his prior loss to the division champion Impa Kasanganay. After a wild matchup, it was a back-and-forth affair with each man taking a round, Kasanganay raised his hand and showed why he deserved to compete for PFL gold.

Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov vs. Rob Wilkinson

In the finals, Kasanganay will meet Turkmenistan’s Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov for one million dollars. Yagshimuradov defeated Rob Wilkinson with a series of strikes on the feet, and taking the match via unanimous decision.

Gadzi Rabadanov vs. Michael Dufort

The student of Khabib Nurmagomedov, Gadzi Rabadanov continued his win streak at PFL 8 by earning a TKO victory against Canada’s Michael Dufort.

Brent Primus vs. Clay Collard

Former Bellator champion Brent Primus will meet Rabadanov in the lightweight finals as he was able to defeat the top-ranked Clay Collard by unanimous decision.

PFL 8 2024 Results

Impa Kasanganay Def. Josh Silveira Via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov Def. Rob Wilkinson Via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Gadzi Rabadanov Def. Michael Dufort Via TKO (Punches) — Round 2 – 1:51

Brent Primus Def. Clay Collard Via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Biaggio Ali Walsh Def. Brian Stapleton Via Knockout (Punch) — Round 1 – 0:55

Danny Sabatello Vs. Lazaro Dayron Ends In Majority Draw (29-27, 28-28, 28-28)

Mads Burnell Def. Elvin Espinoza Via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Thad Jean Def. Chris Brown Via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Jordan Oliver Def. Braydon Akeo Via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Michelle Montague Def. Marilia Morais Via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) — Round 1 – 1:44

Francis Ngannou’s coach to Dana White: ‘Set your ego aside’ to book Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou

Francis Ngannou's coach to Dana White: 'Set your ego aside' to book Jon Jones vs. Francis NgannouEric Nicksick, the coach of former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, believes a fight between ‘The Predator’ and Jon…

Francis Ngannou's coach to Dana White: 'Set your ego aside' to book Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou

Eric Nicksick, the coach of former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, believes a fight between ‘The Predator’ and Jon Jones is still possible, so long as Dana White can set his ego aside.

After years of trying to get a deal done with the Cameroonian, the UFC opted to part ways with Ngannou in early 2023 and seemingly forgo any possibility of booking a bout between him and Jones. However, Nicksick doesn’t necessarily see it that way.

“Money talks man, and no disrespect to Dana but he has a boss as well,” Nicksick told MMA Junkie. “If somebody tells [him], ‘Hey man, this is a lot of money. We’re taking this. Set your ego aside.’ I think Dana is in a position where he wants to make the best fights, and he’s not gonna let his ego, or past history, take advantage of that” (h/t Sportskeeda).

Unfortunately, White doesn’t seem interested in trying to work with Ngannou’s new employer, the Professional Fighters League, to make it happen.

Francis Ngannou books PFL debut while ‘Bones’ gears up for a scrap with miocic at MSG

After testing out his skills in the sweet science against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, Ngannou will finally make his PFL debut on Saturday, October 19. ‘The Predator’ will meet 2023 PFL heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira at the promotion’s first superfight series event on pay-per-view.

Francis Ngannou

Ferreira earned the opportunity to face Ngannou after scoring a 21-second KO against Ryan Bader at the PFL vs. Bellator event in Riyadh earlier this year.

Ferreira KOs Bader

Meanwhile, Jon Jones is preparing for his long-awaited return to the Octagon after taking the vacant UFC heavyweight title via a quickfire submission victory over Ciryl Gane in May 2023. Bones’ was originally scheduled to defend his belt against consensus heavyweight GOAT Stipe Miocic last November, but a torn pectoral took him out of the bout.

Jones vs. Miocic is expected to go down this November when the promotion makes its annual pit stop at MSG, though no official announcements have been made.

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Francis Ngannou Opens Up About the Grief of Losing His Son Kobe: ‘Feels like you’re missing a part of yourself’

Francis Ngannou GriefCameroon’s Francis Ngannou lost his 15-month-old son Kobe earlier this year. The former UFC heavyweight champion, and current PFL…

Francis Ngannou Grief

Cameroon’s Francis Ngannou lost his 15-month-old son Kobe earlier this year. The former UFC heavyweight champion, and current PFL athlete, opened up about the loss and the struggle with the process of grief.

Francis Ngannou Discusses Kobe

Speaking in an interview with The Diary Of A CEO, the 37-year-old Francis Ngannou opened up about the tragic loss of his son Kobe. Now, he feels that nothing matters. He said:

It’s something I never imagined. Suddenly, nothing really matters. You realize that you were complaining a lot instead of feeling blessed and being grateful. You were focused on things that didn’t work, but in reality, everything was actually going well.

On losing a child, Ngannou explains the void he feels. He adds:

I’m alive, surviving, but it’s just not the same. I don’t think things will ever be the same. I can’t explain how, in just 15 months, a child or a person can take up so much space and become such a central part of your life. When they’re gone, it feels like you’re missing a part of yourself. Just 15 months ago, he wasn’t there, and now, he came and went, and it feels like a strange, unsettling void.

francis ngannou son kobe 2133915190

The hardest part is the powerless feeling Ngannou suffered from. The athlete has had an extraordinary life fighting for his family. As a child, he worked in sand mines to provide for his home. Ngannou left his birthplace and crossed Africa. He spent time in a refugee camp and was later imprisoned. Then, after being homeless in Paris, he began training in combat sports which led to a successful career in MMA and Boxing. He continues:

My whole life has been about fighting to prevent my family from going through tough situations, to avoid feeling powerless or useless. But for the one person I should have fought for, I couldn’t even do that. I didn’t get a chance.

Francis Ngannou On Grief

Losing a child is a heartbreaking situation and Francis Ngannou explains that he was never given to tools how to handle these feelings. He added:

Grief is a process I’ve never learned or fully understood. Some days you deal with it, and some days you don’t. There’s no set process for how to go through it. People handle it in different ways, and it’s hard to know how long it takes to grieve or when it will stop.

The Cameroonian athlete Francis Ngannou would ultimately become a UFC heavyweight champion before stepping away from the organization. Today, he works closely with the PFL as the Chairman looking to launch PFL Africa soon. After two blockbuster boxing matches, he will step back into the cage against Renan Ferreira on October 19.