Jake Paul has publicly challenged the UFC to promote a “winner-takes-all” mixed martial arts fight featuring Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou.
Jones currently holds the UFC heavyweight championship, but appears reluctant to defend against the number one contender, Tom Aspinall.
Ngannou left the UFC as its champion in 2022, subsequently signing with the rival Professional Fighters League (PFL) and pursuing a boxing career.
However, the 36-year-old Jones indicated interest in a bout with Ngannou, posting:
“I’m hearing Francis Ngannou is still interested… now we’re talking. That’s a real super fight. A clash of champions, not just hype. He held the UFC belt, I’ve defended mine for over a decade. Two kings from different roads. Not just one legend facing a mouth that’s hot right now, but two real legacies colliding. That’s the kind of fight that actually adds something special to my story. At least from my point of view.”
The 38-year-old Ngannou responded:
“You take care of the UFC, I`ll take care of the PFL, and we`ll finally find out who`s the KING OF THE HEAVYWEIGHT.”
Donn Davis, founder of PFL, proposed a specific format for the potential clash:
“PROPOSAL … WINNER TAKE ALL MMA best heavyweight of all time. Francis Ngannou vs Jon Jones. Francis Wins … PFL and Francis split 100% of the event profits. Jon Wins … UFC and Jon split 100% of the event profits.”
YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul, who is also signed to the PFL, added his support:
“The perfect final dance for the two greatest MMA heavyweights of all time. Jon Jones wants it. Francis Ngannou wants it. Big fight for the sport. Big fight for the fans and Big business. Who doesn’t want it?”
After leaving the UFC as champion, Ngannou transitioned to boxing in 2023 to face Tyson Fury (36). He managed to knock Fury down but lost a controversial split decision. In 2024, he suffered a knockout loss to Anthony Joshua (35) before returning to MMA later that year under the PFL banner to defeat Renan Ferreira (35).
Meanwhile, the 36-year-old Jones has not fought since defeating UFC legend Stipe Miocic (42) last November.
Despite the widespread interest in a Jones vs. Ngannou superfight, UFC President Dana White downplayed the possibility of Ngannou returning to the promotion.
White stated:
“It’s Aspinall’s fight. I mean, we’ve been talking to this kid about it forever and it’s his fight. Listen, you can’t make people fight, if Jon doesn’t want to fight, you can’t make him fight. We can try to make him fight, we can throw things at him that inspire him to want to fight, but we’ll figure it out. I don’t have Ngannou under contract and Aspinall is the guy!”
Gideon Holt