Why Randy Couture believes Jones vs. Ngannou co-promotion is possible

Though the possibilities are slim, Randy Couture believes the UFC and PFL may discover a method to make a large cross-promotion struggle between Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou occur.

Couture, a former two-division UFC champion turned PFL commentator, is aware of that making a cross-promotional struggle is about getting everybody on the identical web page. Whereas one key piece is already in place, finishing the whole puzzle could be a tough problem.

“The TV a part of that, the community and publicity a part of that’s solved as a result of each entities are on ESPN,” Couture informed MMA Junkie Radio. “I feel the panorama of our sport and the contracts, the restrictive contracts in our sport, are gonna forestall that.”

UFC and PFL have occasions that air dwell on ESPN channels and stream on ESPN+. The 2 promotions would don’t have any issues relating to that facet of the negotiations for a mega heavyweight struggle like Jones vs. Ngannou. Nevertheless, contemplating the UFC standing because the chief in MMA, it will be on Dana White and firm to comply with phrases with the PFL so as to make all of it occur.

As we’ve seen up to now, the UFC is aware of their place available in the market, and isn’t eager on sharing the marquee relating to selling fights.

When heavyweight nice Fedor Emelianenko was within the prime of his profession, negotiations between the 2 events failed as a result of the UFC’s unwillingness to work with Emelianeko’s promotion. The UFC has proven they’ll go on selling a serious heavyweight bout if it means they need to share a number of the promotional highlight.

“The Fedor struggle would have occurred if the UFC would have agreed to a co-promotion with M-1 World,” Couture mentioned. “That they had agreed on cash. What they hadn’t agreed on was doing any co-promotion, and the UFC informed them to take a hike.”

Contemplating White’s current disparaging feedback about Ngannou’s new contract with the PFL and Jones taking derogatory photographs at Ngannou at seemingly every opportunity, there would doubtless need to be an earth-shattering, can’t-miss provide from the PFL so as to get the UFC to play ball. On the opposite facet, Ngannou needs the struggle, and Couture believes the PFL is in a chief place to work with the UFC to make it occur.

“I don’t assume the PFL has an ego downside like that,” Couture mentioned. “I feel they might be pleased to entertain a co-promotion between one other promoter and themselves to make an enormous struggle like that occur, definitely within the pay-per-view mannequin they’re on the point of roll out. So, I don’t assume it’s out of the query there.”