Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Francis Ngannou reveals how Jon Jones mega-fight can happen after Tyson Fury boxing match

Ngannou remains hopeful over a possible future meeting with Jones

Sonia Twigg
Sunday 24 September 2023 00:50 BST
Comments
Topless Tyson Fury tries to get Francis Ngannou to take shirt off

Francis Ngannou admitted he has held on to “a little bit of hope” that the possibility of a fight with Jon Jones could materialise.

Ngannou is due to meet Tyson Fury in the boxing ring on 28 October, in a big money fight due to take place in Saudi Arabia.

Fury is the favourite heading into the clash, but Ngannou has reportedly been working with experts, including former boxer Mike Tyson, to try and find a way to land a knockout blow to the English boxer.

The highly-anticipated bout is schedule for 10 rounds and is a fully professional affair, although Fury’s WBC heavyweight title will not be competed for.

The former UFC heavyweight champion also signed an MMA contract with the PFL this calendar year, but many hope he will take on Jones.

“I don’t know. Maybe he’ll be a special fight, a special belt or something?” Ngannou said regarding a potential fight with Jones on the Joe Rogan Experience.

“Maybe not like a UFC belt. To be honest, I don’t worry about the title. The title is not what I worry about.

“I worry about that fight, that challenge. I wouldn’t care if it was a fight without a title. In my [mind], I don’t need a UFC title. That fight is bigger than a title. The fight is bigger than a title.”

Ngannou added: “Deep inside me, I still have a little bit of hope [about a Jones fight], even though I know it’s gonna be hard. But, you never know.”

Fury has not competed so far this calendar year, and his last bout was when he defended the WBC belt in December 2022 against Derek Chisora.

While Ngannou has never taken part in a professional boxing match, but has 20 professional MMA fights to his name. He reigned as UFC heavyweight champion from March 2021 until January 2023, when he vacated the belt upon leaving the promotion.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in