Heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is set for a clash with John Jones.
Jon "Bones" Jones, the current UFC Heavyweight Champion, made a triumphant return to the octagon last month, securing the vacant title belt against Cyril Gane with a first-round submission using a "Guillotine" choke. However, the question on everyone's mind is who will be his next opponent.
In a surprising twist, Francis "The Predator" Ngannou, who left UFC at the beginning of the year, has expressed interest in facing Jones. Ngannou, who boasts a record of 17 wins and 3 losses in MMA, has been vocal about his desire to challenge Jones, the pound-for-pound leader in the UFC.
However, negotiations seem to be at a standstill. Despite the Professional Fighters League (PFL) being open to the possibility of hosting the highly-anticipated boxing match, Ngannou has yet to sign a contract to fight Jones. This comes after reports that discussions about a potential boxing match between Ngannou and Jones were blocked by the UFC.
In an interview with UFC commentator Joe Rogan, Ngannou did not provide a specific response when asked about the possible outcome of a boxing match with Jones. Instead, he announced his upcoming professional boxing debut against WBC World Heavyweight Champion Tyson "Gypsy King" Fury, scheduled for October 28. Fury, with a record of 33 wins, 0 losses, and 1 draw, will undoubtedly provide a formidable challenge for Ngannou.
Meanwhile, Jones will defend his title against countryman Stipe Miocic on November 11 at UFC 295 in New York. Jones, who has a record of 27 wins and 1 loss in MMA, will be looking to solidify his position as the undisputed heavyweight champion.
Ngannou's decision to switch to boxing has left many UFC fans disappointed, as a boxing match between him and Jones would have been one of the most exciting heavyweight showdowns in recent memory. However, with Ngannou signing a contract with PFL and planning to compete in 2024, there is still hope that the two powerhouses of MMA will face off in the octagon in the future.
As the dust settles on Ngannou's boxing debut and Jones' title defence, the MMA world eagerly awaits to see if the two heavyweights will finally step into the octagon to determine who truly reigns supreme in the heavyweight division.
