UFC President says that it’s the fault of the previous UFC heavyweight champion that we by no means say Francis Ngannou vs. Jon Jones. In a latest interview, White squarely factors the finger on the Cameroonian athlete.
Francis Ngannou vs. Jon Jones
Let’s take a better have a look at the timeline and make clear what Dana White mentioned about Francis Ngannou vs. Jon Jones.
Jon Jones
Jon ‘Bones’ Jones has been a famous person within the UFC for greater than a decade. The US-born star the file for the youngest champion in UFC historical past in 2011 after which defended his title towards a number of former UFC champions. Authorized points, controversies, and performance-enhancing medicine have all been a part of the Jones story within the UFC.
Francis Ngannou
Cameroon’s Francis Ngannou’s life story resonated with worldwide audiences as an inspiration. He labored in mines as a baby, was able to die on his stroll throughout Africa, was arrested, then homeless, and ultimately turned the UFC heavyweight champion.
Ngannou walked away from the UFC and joined the PFL. However having by no means misplaced the crown, Ngannou holds the lineal UFC heavyweight title which packs many extra championships in MMA with it. He then booked blockbuster boxing matches towards boxing champions and can compete in MMA later this 12 months with the PFL, combating in October.
He left the UFC over varied points citing remedy being high of the listing. Now, he’s free to field and battle in MMA. Plus, with the PFL, he’s supporting kids in Africa together with his basis and MMA group.
Jones and Ngannou Timeline
Jon Jones fought in 2020 and vacated his mild heavyweight title, however was inactive till 2023. Ngannou received the UFC heavyweight title in 2021, defended it in 2022, then left the UFC in 2022. ‘Bones’ Jones didn’t compete in heavyweight till 2023.
Dana White
Regardless of the timeline making it clear who was not keen to battle, Dana White remains to be blaming Francis Ngannou. In a latest interview, he mentioned:
“I’ve zero animosity in direction of Francis. Francis was out of my world a very long time in the past. [Sean Shelby] and Mick [Maynard] are one other story. It’s a protracted story. [Shelby] did every part he might in his energy to make Jon Jones vs. Francis. The battle didn’t occur and let me inform you what, it wasn’t due to Jon Jones.” [Ht MMAFighting]
White provides:
“Jon is among the difficult guys to take care of”
Path to Jones vs. Ngannou
Because it presently stands, Jon Jones has not fought since early 2023 however just isn’t keen to face anybody besides 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, however Jones refuses to battle him.
Francis Ngannou has been booked to battle the highly effective striker, the towering, Renan Ferreira on October 19. Ferreira knocked out the Bellator champion in just some seconds and can also be a PFL heavyweight champion.
Francis Ngannou desires to nonetheless battle Jon Jones, the PFL leaders and CEOs have mentioned they’re keen to e book the battle, and the teaching workers of Ngannou mentioned they’re prepared. The one occasion refusing is Dana White and Jon Jones.
Ngannou mentioned:
“I feel the UFC need to determine it out and get to some extent to determine that some stuff will be completed, perhaps cross-promotion as a way to give the followers what they need. To make this battle occur. As quickly as they get that, as quickly as they determine to provide that to the followers, every part shall be okay. All of the events are down for the battle besides one.”
PFL chief Donn Davis mentioned:
“The battle that I consider might occur is Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou. And I feel that battle can occur in Saudi Arabia.”
In an interview, Donn Davis instructed me:
“Not like the UFC, we might say sure to a battle, sure to an occasion, sure to [a] collaboration. Something that’s compelling. We’re not dogmatic about working with anyone on something. But it surely’s gotta be a giant thought. After which we’d say sure.”
Francis Ngannou is energetic in each boxing and MMA, dealing with challengers and world champions. His subsequent match is on October 19 whereas Jones presently has nothing booked.
