Francis Ngannou Responds to Claims He Avoided Jon Jones Mega-Fight

The combat sports world is buzzing with conflicting narratives surrounding a highly anticipated, yet never-realized, super-fight between former UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones. Ngannou, now signed with the PFL, has directly addressed recent statements made by UFC President Dana White, who suggested Ngannou was the one hesitant to face Jones. Ngannou vehemently denies this, asserting he was the driving force behind making the bout happen and accusing White of fabricating a new story for his own benefit.

Francis Ngannou’s Side of the Story

Francis Ngannou has publicly stated that the narrative presented by Dana White is a convenient fabrication, designed to suit the UFC’s agenda. According to Ngannou, during negotiations, the message coming from the UFC was that Jon Jones himself was unwilling to face him. He recalls hearing that Jones was content with his current situation, living comfortably in Albuquerque and financially secure, and therefore no longer interested in challenging fights. Ngannou believes that whoever controls the narrative has the power to shape public perception, and in this instance, he feels White is attempting to rewrite history to portray Ngannou as the one who shied away from the mega-bout. Ngannou maintains that it was he, and not Jones or the UFC, who actively pursued and demanded the fight.

Dana White’s Shifting Narrative

In stark contrast to his current statements, Dana White has previously pointed fingers at Jon Jones for the fight’s demise. At various times, White had accused Jones of lacking interest in the matchup, even suggesting Jones might consider moving down to middleweight rather than facing a dangerous heavyweight contender like Ngannou. White also frequently mocked Jones’s demands for a substantial payday, implying financial greed was the obstacle. However, White’s tune has significantly changed. He recently stated that the UFC, specifically through the efforts of Hunter Campbell, did everything possible to make the Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou fight a reality. White explicitly declared that the failure to materialize was *not* due to Jon Jones, a direct contradiction to his past assertions and a clear pivot that Ngannou is calling out.

Ngannou’s Departure and Future Ambitions

Francis Ngannou is preparing for his first MMA bout since his departure from the UFC in January 2023, set to face Renan Ferreira on October 19th in Saudi Arabia under the PFL banner. „The Predator“ left the UFC as the reigning heavyweight champion, opting not to re-sign and becoming a free agent. Ngannou has been open about his desire to remain with the UFC and was keen on a new contract specifically to face Jon Jones. However, he explained that certain conditions within the proposed new contract were not met, leading to his decision to leave the promotion. Ngannou emphasized that he did not want to be cornered into a situation he was unhappy with, stating his need for clarity and fair terms. This desire for control over his career and favorable contractual terms ultimately led him to explore new opportunities outside the UFC.