'That's a real super fight' - Jon Jones issues a bold statement upon potential return of a former heavyweight to the Octagon

Time of India

15 hours ago

Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou. Photo via Getty Images
Current UFC heavyweight champion
Jon Jones
has finally shown his interest in defending his title, but it is not who everyone thinks. Instead, it is the
former reigning heavyweight champion
and the inaugural PFL heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou, whom Bones has shown interest in.
Ngannou parted ways with the UFC in 2023 when both parties could not reach common ground for the renewal of the fighter's contract.
However, recently speculations are being made about a
potential return
of the fighter to the
Octagon
.
Francis Ngannou in talks to return to the UFC, jeopardises
Tom Aspinall
's chances for the championship belt as Jon Jones expresses interest in facing the former champion
It has been the longest time since fans and the UFC heavyweight interim champion, Tom Aspinall called out Jon Jones for the heavyweight unification bout, only to be ignored by the latter.
Several instances have popped up since then, asking the fighter to either announce the bout against Aspinall or simply get stripped of the title. Fans around the world have also issued a petition that has neared 200,000 signatures requesting the UFC to strip Bones of his heavyweight title.
Up until now, nothing concrete has come out of the initiative, and instead, Jones mocked the petition, nullifying it through his posts on X.
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Undo
While the controversy is still very much afresh, the heavyweight champion recently revealed his interest in defending the title through a post on social media. However, it is not Aspinall as everyone would think. Instead, it is one of the greatest heavyweight fighters of all time as well as the former heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou.
Ngannou's contract with the UFC came to an end in mid-December 2022, but the fighter and the promotion could not reach common ground in order to renew the contract, leading to the Predator exiting the promotion after getting stripped of his title.
Head coach Eric Nicksick, in a recent interview, revealed that the fighter is very much in talks for a potential return to the Octagon. The news has raised eyebrows, particularly the attention of the current heavyweight who wrote on X, 'I'm hearing Francis Ngannou is still interested… now we're talking.
That's a real super fight. A clash of champions, not just hype. He held the UFC belt, I've defended mine for over a decade.
Two kings from different roads. Not just one legend facing a mouth that's hot right now, but two real legacies colliding. That's the kind of fight that actually adds something special to my story. At least from my point of view.'
Also read:
Dana White's proxy Jon Anik drops bombshell on Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall revealing potential date and venue for the heavyweight showdown
We might get to see Jones back in the Octagon, just not for the title unification bout. With the fighter expressing his interest in facing the former heavyweight, this might jeopardise the chances of Aspinall having a shot at the championship belt. While nothing has been confirmed officially, the world of MMA awaits one of the most anticipated announcements of all time.