Francis Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion, is adamant in his stance that he did not avoid a fight with Jon Jones. Despite UFC CEO Dana White’s claims that Jones didn’t want the fight, Ngannou maintains that it was actually Jones who was reluctant to step into the octagon with him. Ngannou expressed his frustration during a news conference leading up to his PFL debut against Renan Ferreira, where he emphasized that he was willing to take on Jones, but the fight never materialized due to Jones’ alleged lack of interest.
After successfully defending his heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane in January 2022, Ngannou was sidelined with a knee injury that required surgery. Talks of a potential superfight between Ngannou and Jones started circulating, but negotiations hit a roadblock when the UFC and Ngannou couldn’t reach a new contract agreement. Ngannou’s contract expired in December 2022, leading to him being stripped of his title in January 2023 and becoming a free agent shortly after. Jones went on to claim the vacant title in March 2023 by defeating Gane.
In May 2023, Ngannou signed a multifight deal with the PFL, giving him the flexibility to explore opportunities in boxing. His first boxing match took place in October 2023 against then-WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, where Ngannou lost a controversial split decision but managed to knock Fury down in the third round. This was followed by a knockout loss to Anthony Joshua in March 2024. Despite these setbacks, Ngannou expressed his interest in continuing his boxing career, potentially setting up a rematch with Fury, who was scheduled to face Oleksandr Usyk in December 2024.
While Ngannou remains open to boxing opportunities, his immediate focus is on his return to MMA against Renan Ferreira on Oct. 19. After a hiatus of 2 ½ years from the MMA scene, Ngannou is eager to showcase his skills once again and make a statement in the PFL. He is determined to prove his worth in the octagon and silence any doubts surrounding his fighting capabilities.
Francis Ngannou’s journey post-UFC departure has been filled with ups and downs, from contractual disputes to transitioning to boxing. Despite the challenges he has faced, Ngannou’s passion for combat sports remains unwavering, and his upcoming bout against Ferreira serves as a platform for him to reclaim his position as one of the most formidable fighters in the world.
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