In response to a series of tweets from Jon Jones, including one expressing significant interest in a long-discussed matchup, former UFC heavyweight champion and current PFL star Francis Ngannou has issued a reply.
Ngannou`s coach, Eric Nicksick, recently indicated that Ngannou would “100 percent” consider returning to the UFC in the future. Ngannou previously vacated the UFC title after feeling mistreated and undervalued by the promotion, choosing instead to sign with the PFL as both a fighter and an ambassador for PFL Africa. While Jones went on to claim the vacant UFC title, Ngannou has been active in the boxing ring and the PFL cage, reportedly earning millions.
On Friday, Jones tweeted that a fight against Ngannou was a matchup that would genuinely motivate him to compete again, unlike a bout against interim champion Tom Aspinall. Less than a day later, 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,” Ngannou wrote on Twitter.
Both Jones and Ngannou had pushed for this fight multiple times after Jones transitioned to the heavyweight division from light heavyweight. However, the bout never came to fruition, with UFC CEO Dana White claiming that Jones demanded “Deontay Wilder money” for the fight to happen.
Subsequently, White has stated on numerous occasions that he has no desire to work with Ngannou again. Conversely, PFL founder Donn Davis has expressed a strong interest in making the fight between Jones and Ngannou a reality through a co-promotion with the UFC.
Jones last defended his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in November. The month prior, Ngannou made his promotional debut with the PFL, securing a first-round TKO victory over Renan Ferreira.
