Last year, at the post-fight press conference for UFC 295, Dana White firmly shut down the possibility of a cross-promotion between the UFC and the PFL to facilitate a highly anticipated super fight between Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou.
The heavyweight clash between the two MMA titans has been a dream match for fans for years. However, the prospect of it happening became more complicated after Ngannou’s departure from the UFC and his subsequent signing with the PFL.
At the post-fight presser last year, White responded to a reporter’s question about the possibility of a clash with a blunt and dismissive answer:
“No, I’m not interested in that. We tried to make that fight, they didn’t want to do it, and it’s done… I’m not interested. We’ve got one, two, and three [top-selling pay-per-views in the MSG], they [The PFL] can’t sell a f*****g gate… It’s a stupid question. Why should I do that? I tried to make the fight here; they didn’t want to do it, but I should co-promote?… You win the dumb question of the night. Congratulations, sir.”
While a cross-promotion could potentially make the fight happen, the UFC has historically avoided such collaborations. The only notable exception in recent years was Conor McGregor’s boxing match against Floyd Mayweather Jr.
One of the factors that contributed to Ngannou’s exit from the UFC was the promotion’s refusal to grant him permission to box while under contract. This decision led to a tense relationship between Ngannou and the UFC brass.
Jon Jones clarifies on video of him expressing interest in a Francis Ngannou fight
Jon Jones has clarified a video that recently surfaced of him expressing interest in fighting heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou. Via a social media post, Jones explained that the video was recorded before his injury forced him to withdraw from UFC 295, and before Tom Aspinall was crowned interim heavyweight champion.
“I guess there was a video that resurfaced recently of me saying that after Stipe [Miocic], Francis [Ngannou] was the only fight I was interested in. The video was recorded well over a year ago…before I got injured, before there was an interim champion crowned. I had already voiced that I wasn’t interested in any more randoms. Now magically I’m ducking a fight that’s never been negotiated or discussed at any table that matters.”
