In a world where heavyweights reign, Francis Ngannou, former UFC heavyweight champion, finds himself back in the spotlight. Ngannou, notoriously known as “Predator,” was once slated for a monumental hybrid fight against heavyweight boxer Tyson Fury, which has recently landed on Jon Jones’ doorstep. As the realm of UFC shifts its focus, Ngannou’s sense of slight is understandably heightened.
Ngannou’s superfight with Fury was once a hot topic in early 2022. At the time, Ngannou held the UFC heavyweight title, despite not being under contract with the organization. Much like the historic matchup between Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather Jr., Ngannou hoped for UFC’s cooperation for this proposed fight. However, Dana White, UFC President, wasn’t interested in facilitating the match.
In a surprising turn of events, UFC is now offering Fury a chance to compete against Jon Jones, the current holder of the UFC heavyweight title since UFC 285 in March. This proposition came after Ngannou’s release from UFC earlier this year. It now appears that UFC’s willingness to negotiate with Fury is contingent upon Jones holding the heavyweight title, not Ngannou.
On the flip side, Ngannou’s recent Professional Fighters League (PFL) contract allows him to entertain the idea of a superfight with Fury. The former UFC champion reported ongoing discussions about the potential matchup. Despite Tyson Fury’s elusive behavior, Ngannou remains committed to securing the fight.
Ngannou isn’t surprised by Jones’ proposed superfight with Fury. The heavyweight icon feels UFC is attempting to undermine him, and now that he’s no longer part of the organization, the promotion is pushing for a superfight without him.
Despite UFC’s seeming dismissal, Ngannou stands tall. In his words, “Nothing’s going to take me [down]. I’m going to be here for a while.” Regardless of the shifting alliances and narratives in the world of heavyweight fighting, Ngannou’s determination remains a constant. The prospect of a superfight with Fury is still alive, and with the backing of PFL, fans may soon witness a legendary clash.
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