Ngannou Says Jones' Presence Adds Intrigue To His Fight

Francis Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion returns to MMA competition this weekend against Philipe Lins, and Jon Jones’ presence has gotten his attention.

Jones will serve as an analyst, as he will watch Ngannou close up. During Ngannou's UFC run, both sides expressed genuine interest in sharing the Octagon, and the matchup was widely considered the most compelling fight the heavyweight division had to offer at the time.

Jones was publicly at odds with the UFC over financial disputes, while Dana White consistently downplayed the likelihood of the fight being made. The window eventually closed when Ngannou vacated the heavyweight title and departed the promotion in favour of the PFL and boxing.

Ngannou lost to Tyson Fury in a boxing match that nonetheless earned him significant credit for his performance, before losing to Anthony Joshua. His one MMA appearance during the PFL tenure — a first-round stoppage of Renan Ferreira in October 2024 — was a reminder of what he is capable of inside the cage.

Will It Happen?

Whether Saturday reopens any conversation about what might still be possible between two of the heavyweight division's most significant names remains to be seen.

“It’s going to be very interesting to have Jon Jones in the same arena at night watching. It will be great. It adds to what I’m saying — this event is just like a one-of-a-kind event. Jon Jones never broadcast, did he?,” Ngannou said