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Francis Ngannou Eyes UFC Heavyweight GOAT While Waiting for Jon Jones

Francis Ngannou still wants his shot at Jon Jones.

Mathew Riddle

Francis Ngannou Eyes UFC Heavyweight GOAT While Waiting for Jon Jones
Francis Ngannou Eyes UFC Heavyweight GOAT While Waiting for Jon Jones /

Francis Ngannou has registered his interest in a Stipe Miocic trilogy in the UFC while Jon Jones is sidelined with a torn pectoral.

After his impressive boxing debut against Tyson Fury on October 28, fans called for Ngannou to use his new bartering power to pressure the UFC into challenging him for the lineal heavyweight championship. "The Predator" never lost the UFC heavyweight title, and retains his lineal champion status.

This piqued Ngannou's interest, and in a post on October 29, the Cameroonian slugger explained how he'd fight Stipe Miocic for a third time whilst he waited for Jones to return:

"I've been calling out Jones but I can take Stipe for the same occasion while waiting on JJ to get back."

Miocic had been scheduled to face Jones on November 11, but that bout had to be canceled due to Jones' injury. The UFC is currently exploring options to reschedule the fight for 2024. The Croatian-American fighter is widely regarded as one of the best - if not the best - heavyweight champion in UFC history. He has captured the title twice and boasts the record for the most wins in title fights, with a total of six victories.

If Ngannou wants to fight either Miocic or Jones, there are some hurdles he'd have to overcome.

Despite Ngannou's new bartering power, heavyweight bombers Tom Aspinall and Sergei Pavlovich are fighting for the interim title at UFC 295, and the winner is guaranteed a title shot in their next fight. Not only this, but Miocic vs. Jones was anticipated as a double retirement fight, according to Aspinall. This raises the question of whether Miocic or Jones would be willing to take the gamble against Ngannou.

It's complicated, but money talks. As of now, Ngannou is under contract with the PFL, so it would likely be a co-promotion event, a concept the UFC hasn't explored in MMA since its days with PRIDE FC. Nevertheless, Ngannou has the upper hand, and the UFC must decide whether to yield or demonstrate they still have the ultimate heavyweight champion.

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Mathew Riddle
MATHEW RIDDLE

Mathew is a UK-based combat sports journalist, graphic designer, and SEO expert with over five years of experience in digital marketing and a dedicated four-year track record in MMA journalism. He joined MMAKO in 2023. Mathew's insights have been featured on The Fight Fanatic, Heavy on UFC, Fansided, and Sportskeeda. Reach him at mr@thefightfanatic.com.

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