Francis Ngannou has held the UFC responsible for failing to secure a fight between him and Jon Jones.
The former UFC heavyweight champion is currently with the PFL after having left the UFC following the breakdown in contract talks. Thereafter, Dana White refused to work with Ngannou, given that an effort had been made to tie down the fighter. However, the latter turned down an $8 million deal as a fight with Jones did not materialize. And just recently, White dismissed the possibility of a cross-promotion with the PFL to make a fight with Ngannou. In response, Ngannou directed the criticism towards the UFC.
Francis Ngannou says UFC deserves blame for not making Jon Jones fight happen: ‘We both were asking for it’ https://t.co/ObNmOmuGTe
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) November 15, 2023
“I was asking for this fight after I fought Jairzinho Rozenstruik. I was pushing so hard for Jon Jones because I knew the UFC was going to make [Daniel Cormier] and Stipe [Miocic] 3, the trilogy of Stipe and DC. So I wanted the Jon Jones fight and they never brought that conversation up.
“I think we both were asking for it. My reason [it didn’t happen] is the UFC. The UFC’s responsible for this fight [not happening]. I think that fight should happen and I’ve been [asking] for this fight. I think I can go back to the PFL and talk about this and make this fight happen,” Ngannou said
Outside of the Jones fight, the options for Ngannou in the MMA world appear limited. He could face the winner of Renan Ferreira and Denis Goltsov from the PFL heavyweight tournament final. Putting that to one side, however, a Jones fight could only realistically happen if ‘Bones’ left the UFC in order to secure that fight. As of now, that appears a long way away.
Reaction
100% Francis’s fault believing his a big ppv draw… Jon got the better deal long term because everyone knows hes a ppv draw. He may not be as big as McGregor but he proved he can consistently so ppvs over 500k. Francis in the biggest fight of his career bombed on ppv buys. 🤷♂️
— Oliver (@BigFatOllie_) November 15, 2023
No. It’s Francis’ and Jon’s fault.
— Anthony (@karmakazi__) November 15, 2023
Has nothing to do with that Jon Jones resigned and Francis didn't plain and simple
— KMasterWon (@kstar04) November 15, 2023