Footage has as soon as extra reemerged of UFC CEO, Dana White singing the reward of former heavyweight titleholder, Francis Ngannou forward of a long-mooted struggle with Jon Jones — earlier than switching his tune on the pairing following the Cameroonian’s exit from the promotion originally of final 12 months.
Jones, a former two-time undisputed gentle heavyweight champion and a present heavyweight gold holder, is all however set to headline UFC 309 on the finish of the 12 months in November — taking over the returning soon-to-be common-foe, Stipe Miocic at Madison Sq. Backyard.
As for Ngannou, the previous undisputed UFC heavyweight gold holder has been sidelined from combined martial arts since January of 2022, most lately efficiently unifying the heavyweight crowns with a formidable unanimous determination win over the then-unbeaten common-opponent, Ciryl Gane.
Departing the promotion in January of final 12 months, Batie native, Francis Ngannou is now slated to make his long-anticipated PFL (Skilled Fighters League) debut in two months time in Riyadh, taking over heavyweight star, Renan Ferreira in a blockbuster showdown.
Dana White as soon as picked Francis Ngannou to beat Jon Jones earlier than UFC exit
Nevertheless, amid continued hyperlinks to a future grudge title struggle between Jones and Ngannou down the road — footage has as soon as extra emerged of UFC boss, White heaping reward on his former undisputed champion, Ngannou — after urging Jones to pursue a middleweight drop.
If I’m Jon Jones, and I’m watching this struggle [Stipe MIocic vs. Francis Ngannou 2], then I’m transferring to 185 [pounds],” Dana White instructed assembled media three years in the past. “I may sit right here all day and let you know what present me the cash means. You may say you wish to struggle someone, however do you actually wish to?”
These feedback from White present a stark distinction in his tackle the failed matchup immediately — boldly claiming that Ngannou wouldn’t conform to struggle Jones in a heavyweight title struggle, regardless of touting the Cameroonian as a horrible matchup for the previous pound-for-pound primary.
In latest weeks as well, Jones has been solid as the very best fighter to ever compete in fight sports activities throughout the board forward of his anticipated title struggle comeback at UFC 309 — in a bid to advertise the previous two-weight titleholder.
