YouTuber and boxer Jake Paul has publicly challenged the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) to organize a high-stakes mixed martial arts fight between Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou, proposing a “winner-takes-all” format.
Jon Jones currently holds the UFC heavyweight championship, but he has shown apparent disinterest in facing the division`s number one contender, Tom Aspinall.
Francis Ngannou, who was previously the UFC champion, departed the promotion in 2022. He signed with rival organization Professional Fighters League (PFL) and pursued a career in boxing.
However, the 36-year-old Jones recently took to social media, stating, “I’m hearing Francis Ngannou is still interested… now we’re talking. That’s a real super fight.” He described it as “a clash of champions,” highlighting Ngannou`s past UFC title reign and his own decade-long dominance. Jones sees it as a collision of “two real legacies,” arguing it would add something truly special to his own story, unlike fighting someone based solely on current buzz.
The 38-year-old Ngannou responded to Jones, suggesting, “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.”
Adding fuel to the fire, PFL founder Donn Davis proposed a “WINNER TAKE ALL MMA” bout between who he called the “best heavyweight of all time.” Davis outlined a potential structure where if Ngannou wins, PFL and Ngannou would split 100% of the event profits, and if Jones wins, UFC and Jones would receive the entire share.
Jake Paul, who is also signed with PFL, voiced his support for the concept. He called the potential matchup the “perfect final dance for the two greatest MMA heavyweights of all time,” emphasizing that both fighters seem to want it and it would be a major event for the sport, the fans, and the business side, questioning who would oppose such a fight.
Since leaving the UFC as champion, Ngannou entered the professional boxing world. In 2023, he fought Tyson Fury, knocking down the lineal heavyweight boxing champion before losing a controversial split decision. In 2024, he suffered a knockout loss to Anthony Joshua. Ngannou returned to MMA later the same year, defeating Renan Ferreira in his PFL debut.
Jon Jones has not competed since winning the UFC heavyweight title by defeating legendary fighter Stipe Miocic last November.
Despite the considerable appeal of a super-fight between Jones and Ngannou, UFC President Dana White has expressed skepticism about working with Ngannou again. White insisted that the next title shot opportunity belongs to Tom Aspinall, who is the interim champion. White stated that fighters cannot be compelled to fight, though they would look for ways to incentivize Jones if needed, but reiterated that Ngannou is not under contract with the UFC and Aspinall is the mandatory challenger.
Percy Harlow