Francis Ngannou needed to battle Jon Jones whereas he was nonetheless within the UFC, and he has little doubt Jones was making the identical request.
So why didn’t these two meet in a heavyweight conflict for the ages? Ngannou believes the accountability falls again on the UFC fairly than making an attempt to put blame at his ft, or Jones for that matter.
“Initially, once I was round, Jon Jones wasn’t round,” Ngannou stated on The Last Stand podcast. “Even three years earlier than, we have been negotiating. I used to be asking for this battle after I fought Jairzinho Rozenstruik.
“I used to be pushing so arduous for Jon Jones as a result of I knew the UFC was going to make [Daniel Cormier] and Stipe [Miocic] 3, the trilogy of Stipe and DC. So I needed the Jon Jones battle and so they by no means introduced that dialog up.”
Whereas Jones was on hiatus from competitors following a contract dispute with the UFC, Ngannou made his technique to the highest of the heavyweight division by claiming the title with a knockout over Stipe Miocic.
Ngannou stated he was repeatedly advised that Jones wasn’t , but the previous UFC mild heavyweight champion publicly acknowledged that he needed the battle. Trying again now, Ngannou understands that the promotion was finally pitting the fighters towards each other in a public confrontation.
“They’d use it to color out the narrative for each side,” Ngannou stated. “If it’s [about] me, it’s like, ‘Oh, I’m not doing the battle.’ If it’s Jon Jones, so many instances they’ve advised me Jon Jones doesn’t wish to try this battle.”
That’s why Ngannou isn’t trash speaking Jones as if the previous mild heavyweight champion was ducking a possible confrontation. As a substitute, Ngannou says, it’s the UFC that determined Ngannou vs. Jones wasn’t a battle price reserving, for no matter motive.
“I feel we each have been asking for it,” Ngannou stated, acknowledging Jones. “My motive [it didn’t happen] is the UFC. The UFC’s chargeable for this battle [not happening].”
Ideally, Ngannou nonetheless needs Jones as an opponent, however that’s going to require the UFC to succeed in throughout the aisle and work with a rival group.
Sadly, with Ngannou now signed to the PFL and UFC CEO Dana White vehemently shutting down questions about a possible co-promotion, “The Predator” will seemingly need to go attempting to find a unique opponent.
“I feel that battle ought to occur and I’ve been [asking] for this battle,” Ngannou stated. “I feel I can return to the PFL and discuss this and make this battle occur.”
