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Francis Ngannou. Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Francis Ngannou reveals biggest regret about leaving UFC

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 5/18/23

Newly signed PFL star Francis Ngannou knew to get what he wanted out of his next fight contract that he would likely have to leave the UFC.

And while Ngannou is at peace with moving on from the biggest mixed martial arts company in the world, he recently admitted there’s one thing about leaving the organization behind that may haunt him.

“I will always have a regret of not fighting Jon Jones,” Ngannou said Wednesday on ESPN’s “DC & RC.” “I think you know, being in the sport, being in this position, what you want to do is to test yourself against somebody like Jon Jones, who stands as a GOAT of the sport.”

Since Ngannou signed with the PFL earlier this week, he and Jones have been taking shots at each other via social media.

Calling yourself the baddest man on the planet from across the street, who does that? Lol
— BONY (@JonnyBones) May 16, 2023

Then cross the street
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) May 16, 2023

You notice that! Wasn’t calling himself the baddest when he was still a free agent. He signed safely behind a new organization, and now suddenly the baddest thing walking. Like we all haven’t seen him quitting inside that cage before. https://t.co/2lm13FUqxI
— BONY (@JonnyBones) May 16, 2023

Despite the two fighters now in different promotions, Ngannou stated he’s still open to making a fight with Jones happen — an idea that will likely be nothing more than a pipedream as UFC president Dana White has been adamantly against the idea of cross-promoting fights with rival companies.

“Still, this day, I’m like, if ever there’s an opportunity to fight Jon Jones, we will do it,” Ngannou explained. “But I don’t know how. Maybe a cross-promotion? I don’t know. But Jon Jones is somebody that anyone that’s looking to make a legacy in this sport would like to fight.”

The UFC had been targeting a potential Ngannou-Jones grudge match for nearly three years. Rumblings of the possible bout began when Jones beat light heavyweight contender Dominick Reyes at UFC 247 in Feb. 2020. He later vacated the 205-pound belt to move up to heavyweight.

At the time, Ngannou was coming off a 20-second knockout win over Jairzinho Rozenstruik that earned him No. 1 contender status for the heavyweight championship. A bout against Jones made sense as a title eliminator.

But according to White, Ngannou was the one who prevented the fight from happening. White told reporters after Ngannou left the company that he not only offered the 36-year-old Cameroonian the richest heavyweight contract in company history but also offered him a fight against Jones. He turned both down.

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