UFC heavyweight Francis Ngannou, left, and UFC heavyweight Derrick Lewis are separated by UFC President Dana White during a face-off at the UFC 226 Press Conference at the Pearl at the Palms in Las Vegas on Thursday, July 5, 2018. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Francis Ngannou Fires Back at Dana White Over Failed Jon Jones Fight
Francis Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion, expressed his disappointment with UFC President Dana White’s recent remarks on the Pat McAfee show. Ngannou, who recently signed with the Professional Fighters League (PFL), voiced his disagreement with White’s comments regarding a potential fight between Ngannou and former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
Ngannou’s decision to join PFL last month came after he was offered significant opportunities within the organization, including equity and leadership roles. The deal allowed Ngannou to seek boxing matches in addition to his role as the PFL Africa chairman and a seat on the athlete advisory board.
Before finalizing his agreement with PFL, Ngannou had been in talks to face Jon Jones, but the fight failed to materialize. As a result, the UFC severed ties with Ngannou, and he was forced to vacate the promotion’s heavyweight title.
In March of this year, Jon Jones claimed the vacant UFC heavyweight title by defeating Ciryl Gane in just 124 seconds with a submission. Despite their divergent paths, the question of who is the “baddest man on the planet” continues to be a topic of debate between Jones and Ngannou.
The conversation surrounding this rivalry was reignited when Ngannou and Jones came face to face at a recent PFL event in Atlanta. The confrontation sparked further speculation among fight fans.
During a recent appearance on the Pat McAfee show, Dana White was asked about the Jones-Ngannou staredown. White expressed his belief that a cross-promotional fight between the two would not work, adding, “Jon Jones wanted that fight the whole time. We tried to make the fight with Francis… Yea.”
Ngannou, clearly affected by White’s comments, responded to the video by quote tweeting it and stating, “No Pat, Jonny was on vacation for 3 years while I sat there waiting 🙄.”
The tension between Ngannou and Jones has fans wondering how a heavyweight fight between the two would have unfolded. The missed opportunity to see these two exceptional athletes collide leaves fight enthusiasts speculating on who would emerge as the true “baddest man on the planet.”
In a tale of ultimate combat fantasies, former boxing champ turned analyst Andre Ward has unveiled his wildest dreams for Tyson Fury—a spectacle that involves Fury clashing with both Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou. However, Ward’s dream matchup seems distant as he acknowledges that Fury needs to return to the squared circle and face other contenders before embarking on such extraordinary ventures.
While Ngannou, the ex-UFC heavyweight champion, gears up for his promotional debut in the PFL, he intends to step into the boxing ring first—a move that could potentially lead him to an encounter with Fury. UFC President Dana White, on the other hand, has thrown down the gauntlet to Fury, proposing a showdown against the current heavyweight titleholder Jon Jones, aiming to determine the true “baddest man on the planet.”
Ward, in his unmistakable excitement, revealed his heart’s desire for both the Jones-Fury clash and the Fury-Ngannou extravaganza. However, he understands the intricate dance of promotion played by White, conceding, “I respect Jon Jones’ fight game, and I would like to see the [Jones vs.] Tyson Fury thing, or the Francis [fight].”
Tyson Fury’s journey has been a rollercoaster ride, punctuated by retirement rumors, resounding comebacks, and public negotiations for potential matchups, including Ngannou, Jones, and Usyk. Yet, as Ward dons his realist cap, he doubts that Fury will engage in battle against either Jones or Ngannou in the near future. “I think Tyson will take a bag like Floyd did, but I think Tyson is really trying to figure this boxing thing out,” Ward asserted. He believes Fury should prioritize securing a boxing fight, perhaps against Anthony Joshua, before even entertaining the idea of MMA.
The saga of Ngannou’s free agency has captivated the MMA world, with boxing matchups acting as a contentious sticking point in negotiations. While White’s actions seem to undermine his former champion at every turn, Ward praises Ngannou’s tenacity and resilience. “All the stuff that Dana is doing is kind of white noise. That dude is getting ready to get paid,” Ward remarked, admiring Ngannou’s unwavering pursuit of his desired outcome.
As fans eagerly anticipate the spectacle of Fury facing off against Jones and Ngannou, they must temper their excitement, as the boxing world eagerly awaits Fury’s return to the ring and the fulfillment of their clamoring demands. Only then can the dreams of these epic showdowns become a reality.
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