Francis Ngannou responds to Jon Jones' call for 'super-fight' (1 Viewer)

[MartinGee]

Francis Ngannou says he’s ready to face UFC heavyweight champ Jon Jones, two years after leaving the UFC for the Professional Fighters League (PFL). Since parting ways with the UFC in 2023, the 38-year-old has mostly focused on boxing, with just one fight in the PFL so far.

Talk of a UFC return picked up recently after Ngannou’s coach hinted at the possibility. Jones responded by calling for a “super-fight,” and now Ngannou has answered.

"You take care of the UFC, I'll take care of the PFL, and we'll finally find out who's the king of the heavyweight," Ngannou said on social media.

Ngannou is still under contract with the PFL, while 37-year-old Jones has recently hinted that he’s retired and has no plans to face interim UFC champ Tom Aspinall.

Ngannou’s split from the UFC was far from smooth. After his exit, UFC president Dana White made it clear the door was closed.

“It’s over. He’ll never be in the UFC again,” White said in 2023.

But talk of a return has resurfaced. Ngannou’s coach, Eric Nicksick, recently stirred speculation by saying the best competition for Ngannou is still in the UFC.

That caught the attention of Jon Jones, who’s been locked in a social media feud with interim champ Tom Aspinall. Jones quickly jumped in on the conversation.

“I’m hearing Francis Ngannou is still interested, now we’re talking,” Jones said.
“That’s a real super-fight. A clash of champions, not just hype. He held the UFC belt, I’ve defended mine for over a decade. Two kings from different roads. Not just one legend facing someone with a hot mouth, but two real legacies colliding.”

Historically, the UFC hasn’t been open to co-promoting events with rival organizations. But PFL boss Donn Davis responded to Ngannou’s challenge, proposing a bold “winner-takes-all” deal, where the victorious fighter and their promotion would walk away with all the profits.

Jones is a two-division UFC champion, while Ngannou was heavyweight champ when he left the organization. Ngannou holds an 18–3 MMA record, and Jones, widely considered one of the sport’s all-time greats, stands at 28–1 with one no-contest.