Jones Vs. Ngannou Could Still Happen – ‘Money Talks’

Francis Ngannou’s coach, Eric Nicksick, stated that Dana White may have to swallow his pride over an Ngannou fight Jon Jones fight. 

Talks over the fight broke down when Ngannou decided to leave the UFC last year. Ngannou left after claiming that any deal that was offered prevented him from becoming an independent contractor. He chose to turn down a reported $8 million as he moved on to sign with the PFL. As he did so, Dana White refused to work with him again.

The CEO of the UFC put an end to any chance of a Jon Jones fight. In doing so, White refused to do a co-promotion with the PFL. Since then, Ngannou has boxed twice against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.

Jones Vs. Ngannou

While he suffered defeats in both bouts, he is no longer dependent on fighting for his future as the two bouts secured his financial future. He will now fight Renan Ferreira on his PFL debut on October 19. There have been talks that the Jones could still happen now that the Saudis are working with the UFC. Nicksick felt White may have to compromise on his stance.

“Money talks man, and no disrespect to Dana but he has a boss as well. If somebody tells [him], ‘Hey man, this is a lot of money. We’re taking this. Set your ego aside.’ I think Dana is in a position where he wants to make the best fights, and he’s not gonna let his ego, or past history, take advantage of that,” Nicksick said 

The chances of this happening depend on a variety of things. Jones has hinted that he could retire after facing Stipe Miocic. Bones is expected to defend his belt against Miocic once he returns from injury. Jones was on course to defend it against Miocic at UFC 295. But he withdrew after suffering a pectoral muscle injury. Jones will be expected to face Tom Aspinall if he comes through that fight.

Jones Vs. Aspinall

Aspinall secured his title shot after stopping Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 in his last fight. There is also the possibility of Jones facing Alex Pereira. The UFC Light Heavyweight Champion has said he would consider moving up if he could get a title shot against Jones. Both Aspinall and Pereira are bigger fights than Ngannou for now. But if Jones retires, it rules out a Ngannou fight full stop. Given that Miocic will retire after facing Jones, there is no guarantee that Bones will take this fight. 

“Stipe 100 percent is going to retire after this fight. Listen, Jon Jones, you know how I talk about Jon Jones and what I think of Jon Jones as a fighter — Jon Jones always loves to challenge himself, moved up to heavyweight. I don’t know what Jon Jones will do after this fight, but I would be shocked if he didn’t want to test himself against [Tom] Aspinall. At the end of the day, I get it. Everybody wants to see Tom Aspinall, but let me tell you what, after Stipe and Jon fight, whoever wins, the Aspinall fight is even bigger,” White stated