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UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones expressed confidence in a future matchup with PFL star Francis Ngannou during a recent appearance at PFL vs. Bellator in Saudi Arabia. Despite being sidelined with a torn pec sustained while preparing for a fight with Stipe Miocic last fall, Jones remains optimistic about facing Ngannou.
The anticipated bout between Jones and Ngannou was initially planned for last year before Ngannou's departure from the UFC in late January to sign with the PFL, partly to pursue a career in boxing.
Although both fighters are now with different promotions, there have been discussions and teases about a potential cross-promotion fight. PFL's Donn Davis has expressed interest in a cross-promoted card featuring Jones vs. Ngannou, but UFC President Dana White has dismissed the idea.
Despite the challenges, Jones believes the fight will happen eventually. During the PFL vs. Bellator broadcast, Jones expressed confidence in defeating Ngannou, Miocic, and Tom Aspinall.
"I feel like there’s a lot of fights that the world wants right now," Jones said.
"There’s the Tom Aspinall fight that’s really massive. There’s Francis Ngannou and I, that would be really massive. Stipe, to the hardcore fans, that’s still a respectable opponent."
Ngannou, who was also at the event, responded to Jones' comments, shouting, "In your dreams. You’re f*cking fat!"
While Jones is recovering from injury, Ngannou is preparing for his second boxing match against Anthony Joshua on March 8th in Saudi Arabia.