Jon Jones has stated that his primary goal is to be freed from his current UFC contract in order to make a fight with Francis Ngannou a reality. This statement came shortly after Ngannou’s decisive first-round knockout victory over Philipe Lins at an MVP event broadcast on Netflix.
Jones, who was part of the broadcast team for the Rousey vs. Carano card, acknowledged the significant challenges in arranging this bout unless he is no longer bound by UFC obligations.
Jon Jones Aims for UFC Contract Release to Facilitate Francis Ngannou Matchup
Ngannou’s swift knockout of Lins has reignited the intense rivalry between him and Jones, bringing the potential fight back into sharp focus. Following his victory, Ngannou reiterated his interest in facing Jones, suggesting that the former UFC champion needs to gain a better understanding of the business side of combat sports. Ngannou believes the fight could still materialize before either fighter retires.
However, Jones appears to have a realistic view of the hurdles involved. He commented that he doesn’t believe UFC President Dana White is inclined to engage in business with Ngannou, which leads him to consider Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) as a potential avenue for the fight. Jones emphasized that obtaining his release from the UFC contract would be the most difficult aspect, but expressed that if it were achievable, “that would be great.”
“I’ve got to try to focus on getting out of my UFC contract. That’s going to be the difficult part if this fight [with Francis Ngannou] is going to happen. I donโt think Dana is interested in doing business with Francis, so doing it 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 made these remarks immediately after Ngannou delivered a powerful reminder of his capabilities in the cage. Ngannou’s return to mixed martial arts took place at MVP’s inaugural live event, providing the fight community with renewed impetus to discuss the long-speculated matchup with Jones. Jones’s presence on the broadcast added another layer of immediacy, as his reactions were captured in real-time, rather than stemming from a later interview.
After departing the UFC, Ngannou joined the PFL, where he had previously captured the heavyweight championship in 2021 by defeating Stipe Miocic and successfully defended it against Ciryl Gane in 2022. Ngannou’s MMA debut with the PFL was followed by two boxing matches, including a loss to Anthony Joshua after nearly securing an upset against Tyson Fury. Following Ngannou’s exit from the UFC, Jon Jones relinquished his light heavyweight title to move up to the heavyweight division, where he subsequently claimed the world championship.
Currently, the prospect of this fight appears to be more dependent on promotional politics than straightforward sporting considerations. Both fighters are recognized as elite heavyweights, but Jones remains under contract with the UFC, while Ngannou operates outside the organization. This dynamic means the matchup hinges on unconventional business arrangements rather than a standard fight booking.
English Translation:
Jon Jones has stated that his primary goal is to be freed from his current UFC contract in order to make a fight with Francis Ngannou a reality. This statement came shortly after Ngannou’s decisive first-round knockout victory over Philipe Lins at an MVP event broadcast on Netflix. Jones, who was part of the broadcast team for the Rousey vs. Carano card, acknowledged the significant challenges in arranging this bout unless he is no longer bound by UFC obligations.
Ngannou’s swift knockout of Lins has reignited the intense rivalry between him and Jones, bringing the potential fight back into sharp focus. Following his victory, Ngannou reiterated his interest in facing Jones, suggesting that the former UFC champion needs to gain a better understanding of the business side of combat sports. Ngannou believes the fight could still materialize before either fighter retires.
Jon Jones Aims for UFC Contract Release to Facilitate Francis Ngannou Matchup
However, Jones appears to have a realistic view of the hurdles involved. He commented that he doesn’t believe UFC President Dana White is inclined to engage in business with Ngannou, which leads him to consider Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) as a potential avenue for the fight. Jones emphasized that obtaining his release from the UFC contract would be the most difficult aspect, but expressed that if it were achievable, “that would be great.”
“I’ve got to try to focus on getting out of my UFC contract. That’s going to be the difficult part if this fight [with Francis Ngannou] is going to happen. I donโt think Dana is interested in doing business with Francis, so doing it 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 made these remarks immediately after Ngannou delivered a powerful reminder of his capabilities in the cage. Ngannou’s return to mixed martial arts took place at MVP’s inaugural live event, providing the fight community with renewed impetus to discuss the long-speculated matchup with Jones. Jones’s presence on the broadcast added another layer of immediacy, as his reactions were captured in real-time, rather than stemming from a later interview.
After departing the UFC, Ngannou joined the PFL, where he had previously captured the heavyweight championship in 2021 by defeating Stipe Miocic and successfully defended it against Ciryl Gane in 2022. Ngannou’s MMA debut with the PFL was followed by two boxing matches, including a loss to Anthony Joshua after nearly securing an upset against Tyson Fury. Following Ngannou’s exit from the UFC, Jon Jones relinquished his light heavyweight title to move up to the heavyweight division, where he subsequently claimed the world championship.
Currently, the prospect of this fight appears to be more dependent on promotional politics than straightforward sporting considerations. Both fighters are recognized as elite heavyweights, but Jones remains under contract with the UFC, while Ngannou operates outside the organization. This dynamic means the matchup hinges on unconventional business arrangements rather than a standard fight booking.
