JAKE PAUL has challenged the UFC to accept a “winner-takes-all” fight between Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou.
Jones is currently the UFC heavyweight champion but appears uninterested in facing No1 contender Tom Aspinall.
Francis Ngannou with Jake Paul[/caption]
Jon Jones called to fight Ngannou[/caption]
Ngannou walked out on the UFC in 2022 to sign with rivals the Professional Fighters League and pursue boxing.
But Jones, 36, posted: “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.”
Ngannou, 38, 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.”
PFL founder Donn Davis said: “PROPOSAL … WINNER TAKE ALL MMA best heavyweight of all time. @francis_ngannou vs @JonnyBones
“Francis Wins … @PFLMMA and Francis split 100% of the event profits Jon Wins … @UFC and Jon split 100% of the event profits.”
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YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul – signed to the PFL – chimed in: “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?”
Ngannou left the UFC as champion to box Tyson Fury, 36, in 2023 even scoring a knockdown before losing a controversial split-decision.
He was then knocked out by Anthony Joshua, 35, in 2024 and returned to MMA the same year to beat PFL’s Renan Ferreira, 35.
Jones meanwhile is yet to fight since beating UFC legend Stipe Miocic, 42, last November.
But UFC boss Dana White talked down the chance of working with Ngannou again despite the allure of a super-fight with Jones.
White said: “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!”
