UFC vs. PFL? Saudi billionaires keen on cross-promotional Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou super fight
Saudi Arabian billionaires want cross-promotional fight between UFC heavyweight Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou in PFL.
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Saudi Arabian billionaires keen to host cross-promotional Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou in PFL (Source: IMAGO)
Yesterday’s 2024 Professional Fighters League (PFL) finals took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. More importantly, the half-dozen winners all received “life-changing” $1 million paydays for winning their respective championship bouts. With such scraps taking center stage, one pairing for the MMA heavyweight lineal legacy is gaining more and more traction – Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou.
Before the ESPN+ main card, PFL CEO, Peter Murray, spoke with talkSPORT about such a fight. Francis Ngannou vs. UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has been a potential what-if fight for ages. It is a dream fight at this point, one that could benefit all MMA fans. PFL brass is really keen on that fight, but their promotional counterpart isn’t.
We’re supportive of a [crossover fight], …I mean, the fighters want the fight, Jon Jones wants the fight, Francis wants the fight, we want the fight, our partners here in Saudi want the fight. It really comes down to if UFC wants to step up … period.
Peter Murray to Adam Catterall for talkSPORT (🎥 : / @talksportmma)
Ngannou recently snagged the Super Fight title (read fight highlights) at the PFL ‘Battle of the Giants’ pay-per-view. The Cameroonian needs to defend his super-fight bracket and has a couple fights left in his current contract. After that, free agent Ngannou can yet again be a hot new re-sign and have freedom for such a fight. Even ‘Bones’ takes an interest in this clash.
On the south side, the UFC isn’t keen. Dana White often has his bone to pick with Ngannou and the PFL. Can the Saudis convince the UFC boss to reconsider? There’s also the cold hard truth that UFC gains nothing in the didactic of this crossover other than Jones losing his belt (he won’t). So for now, the dream stays on.
Dan Hardy: Francis Ngannou ‘far more dangerous’ in MMA than boxing for now
PFL 265-pound Super Fight belt holder and ex-UFC heavyweight Francis Ngannou is the fight to make in any rules of combat sport. PFL execs Donn Davis and Peter Murray have often played on the potential of his MMA prowess and tried pulling Jon Jones. However, it’s up to UFC to play ball. Ngannou’s extensive contract also meant he had the management and freedom to do such crossovers.
Such a freedom saw him take to pro boxing before his PFL debut. Francis Ngannou (18-3) claimed the inaugural super fight heavyweight title over Renan Ferreira, Before that, he went 0-2 in boxing stints. ‘Predator’ did give ex-WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury quite the challenge. “The Predator” is still seeking mega-fights in boxing, but Dan Hardy feels otherwise.
I think it makes the most sense to me [Ngannou in MMA], …You’ve got two guys here – two impressive Russian fighters that are both at different ends of their career. Goltsov has tried this path several times. He’s not been successful, but you can’t deny that he’s got the skills…But, I also expect Popov to be durable physically and mentally
Dan Hardy via MMA Junkie Radio with “Gorgeous” George and “Goze”
Hardy cited the fallout from Denis Goltsov vs. Oleg Popov as the perfect challenge for Ngannou. The Cameroonian has laced up his boxing gloves twice and is fresh off a Round 2 knockout loss in March. Where he goes from here is anyone’s guess.
Related: Dana White’s $20 million+ Sphere event will be trumped by Francis Ngannou card, claims PFL boss
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