Jon Jones has expressed his desire to be released from his UFC contract as a prerequisite for facing Francis Ngannou in a highly anticipated bout. Jones made these comments shortly after Ngannou’s impressive first-round knockout victory over Philipe Lins at an MVP event. While providing commentary for the “Rousey vs. Carano” card, Jones acknowledged that the fight’s realization hinges on his freedom from current UFC obligations.
Ngannou’s decisive KO win over Lins has reignited discussions about a potential showdown with Jones. Following his victory, Ngannou reiterated his interest in fighting Jones, suggesting that the former UFC heavyweight champion still needs to grasp the business aspects of combat sports. Ngannou remains optimistic that the matchup could still occur before either fighter retires.
Jon Jones Highlights Contractual Hurdles for Francis Ngannou Fight
Jones appeared pragmatic about the obstacles. He commented that he doesn’t believe UFC President Dana White is keen on facilitating a deal with Ngannou, which leads him to consider Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) as a potential avenue for the fight. Jones emphasized that the primary challenge lies in extricating himself from his UFC contract. However, he indicated that if this were possible, it would be an ideal scenario.
“I need to focus on getting out of my UFC contract. That’s going to be the difficult part if this fight [with Francis Ngannou] is to happen. I don’t think Dana is interested in doing business with Francis, so working with MVP would probably be the only way to make it happen, and if we can get out of my contract, that would be great.”
Jones’ remarks came immediately after Ngannou delivered a powerful performance, reminding everyone of his formidable striking abilities. Ngannou’s return to MMA on MVP’s inaugural live event has injected new life into the long-speculated fight with Jones. Jones’ presence on the broadcast, reacting in real-time, added a significant layer to the unfolding narrative.
After parting ways with the UFC, Ngannou joined the PFL, having previously held the UFC heavyweight championship in 2021 by defeating Stipe Miocic and defending it against Ciryl Gane in 2022. Ngannou’s MMA career post-UFC has included one fight with the PFL and two boxing matches, including a loss to Anthony Joshua after a closely contested bout against Tyson Fury. Meanwhile, following Ngannou’s departure from the UFC, Jon Jones relinquished his light heavyweight title to move up and capture the heavyweight championship.
Currently, the prospect of this fight appears more influenced by promotional politics than purely sporting considerations. Both fighters are recognized as top heavyweights, but with Jones still under contract with the UFC and Ngannou operating outside the organization, their potential clash is dependent on intricate business arrangements rather than a straightforward booking.
