Fans of mixed martial arts (MMA) have long dreamt of seeing a showdown between two of the sport’s giants: Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones. However, hopes were dashed when Ngannou turned down an eye-popping $8 million contract offer from the UFC, leading to his departure from the organization and the cancellation of the highly anticipated super-fight against Jones. But, there’s a twist in this tale. Ngannou recently hinted on the Joe Rogan Experience MMA Show that a fight against Jon Jones could still be in the cards, but with a unique condition.
The departure of the former UFC heavyweight champion from the promotion was driven by his aspiration to venture into the world of boxing. He seized an opportunity to face none other than the boxing legend Tyson Fury on October 28th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, vying for the prestigious Riyadh belt. This sudden shift shattered the dreams of many MMA fans, who were eagerly anticipating the Ngannou vs. Jones showdown.
However, Francis Ngannou reignited the flames of hope when he made a surprising statement about the potential super fight on the Joe Rogan Experience MMA Show. During the episode, Ngannou and Joe Rogan discussed a variety of topics, including Ngannou’s departure from the UFC, contract negotiations, and his upcoming boxing debut.
Ngannou vs. Jones: A Special Fight with a Special Belt
In a pivotal moment of the conversation, Joe Rogan asked Ngannou if a bout against Jon Jones would be on the table if he emerged victorious against Tyson Fury. Ngannou’s response was intriguing and left the door open for a potential clash with Jones. He stated, “It’s possible, but they [UFC] have to go through the PFL now. The PFL is down for that…Maybe it will be a special fight, a special belt or something, maybe not like a UFC belt. I don’t know.”
This statement suggests that while a fight with Jon Jones remains possible, it may take place under different circumstances and with a unique title on the line. Ngannou’s willingness to explore this option has certainly piqued the interest of fight enthusiasts worldwide.
However, one lingering question remained: What if Ngannou were to defeat Jon Jones and become the new UFC heavyweight champion? This question seemed to puzzle Ngannou himself, leading him to suggest that they might not vie for the UFC heavyweight title if the fight were to materialize.
In the world of combat sports, unexpected twists and turns are not uncommon. The potential matchup between Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones, while still uncertain, continues to captivate the imagination of MMA fans. As negotiations and discussions unfold, fight enthusiasts around the globe will eagerly await any developments regarding this intriguing clash of titans.
