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Unless you’ve been living under a rock, it’s common knowledge in MMA circles that Francis Ngannou and Dana White have a rocky relationship. After being the UFC’s biggest heavyweight superstar for quite some time, Ngannou left due to contract-related conflicts, and White has never been happy about it.

Since Ngannou’s departure, White has frequently taken jabs at the former UFC heavyweight champ. The UFC President has blamed him for not fighting Jon Jones and has discredited his boxing career as well.

In the press conference for his PFL debut against Renan Ferreira on Oct. 19 in Saudi Arabia, Ngannou finally fired back at White’s latest comments…

Francis Ngannou Reveals Why Jon Jones Fight Didn’t Happen Despite His Request

While talking to journalists at the PFL press conference, Ngannou flipped the script and claimed that Jones didn’t want to fight him in the UFC. He allegedly requested the fight multiple times but was told that “Bones” wasn’t willing to fight as he was enjoying life in Albuquerque.

“As far as I’m concerned, it was Jon Jones didn’t want to fight for me, according to them. And so many time that we sit down on the meeting, I’m like, oh it can’t happen Jon Jones doesn’t want to fight anymore. You know, like he live in Albuquerque. He live his small life. He has a lot of money in his bank account, you know. So, I think, the guy who control the narrative can say whatever he wants but that’s just the narrative. I never, I was the one requesting the Jon Jones fight but I didn’t want that like a trap, to get into some deal and get to something I didn’t want.”

As per “The Predator”, another reason why the Jones fight couldn’t happen was his contract. He was down to fight the UFC light heavyweight GOAT but wanted a contract that benefited him in ways other than just money. This included the freedom to box, in-cage sponsorships, and health insurance, among other things.

Ngannou’s relationship with the UFC fell apart when both parties couldn’t negotiate a contract that fulfilled the former’s demands. Instead, the UFC heavyweight champ left the promotion and signed with the PFL.

• Read More: Chael Sonnen Feels Khalil Rountree Fight Will Fast Track Alex Pereira’s Heavyweight Move: ‘The Best Way, Get Him Beat!’

Continue Reading Francis Ngannou Clears The Air On Dana White Claiming He Ducked Jon Jones: ‘The Guy Who Control The Narrative…’ at MMA News.

MMA News

Renan Ferreira warns Francis Ngannou that his return to mixed martial arts could end up badly for him if he’s not fully committed and focused on the sport, dividing his attention between MMA and a potential return to boxing in the future.

The former UFC heavyweight champion shocked the world in his boxing debut against Tyson Fury in late 2023, putting on an impressive performance in a split decision loss to “The Gypsy King,” but then lost via second-round knockout to Anthony Joshua this past March.

Ferreira brutalized Ryan Bader in just 21 seconds in a champion vs. champion clash between PFL and Bellator stars earlier this year to win the ticket to welcome Ngannou to PFL, and they will face off Oct. 19 in Saudi Arabia.

“Francis is going through a rough year, but [the task] is even tougher ahead of him,” Ferreira said at Thursday’s PFL press conference in Washington. “He knows he has a big problem ahead of him that will be very hard to solve.”

Ferreira said he’s followed Ngannou’s career for a long time and has been preparing to face someone like him “my whole life.” The Brazilian talent will enter the cage riding a four-fight knockout streak. Ngannou hasn’t competed in MMA since his final UFC appearance in January 2022, when he defended his UFC title against Ciryl Gane.

“It’s a long time away from the cages, and it’s completely different [from boxing],” Ferreira said. “Francis has done boxing matches and it’s a whole different game so I think he will feel the difference, but he’s a warrior. It’s going to be difficult for him on the feet, and in the grappling area, because he knows I can either knock him out or submit him at any moment.

“Many things can happen, but I know Francis is a big champion and is definitely taking this next fight seriously. If his head is not 100 percent on this fight, he has a big problem ahead of him.”

Ferreira said he never doubted that he would be the one to welcome Ngannou to the PFL cage, and used the extra time to enjoy some time with his family and sharpen his tools.

With Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall holds heavyweight belts currently in the UFC, and Ferreira ending 2023 as the division king in PFL, the Brazilian feels that his clash with “The Predator” defines who’s the No. 1 heavyweight in the world today.

“This is the most anticipated fight of the year, two great heavyweights with similar styles, who move forward for the knockout,” Ferreira said. “So this is definitely going to be a great fight and will definitely define who’s the world’s best heavyweight.”

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Interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has ramped up his calls for an undisputed title fight against champion Jon Jones.  Jones is expected to face former two-time titleholder Stipe Miocic later this year and Aspinall is the backup fighter on standby incase one of them has to pull out.  

In a video posted to YouTube on Thursday, Aspinall said he doesn’t understand why Jones and Miocic are even fighting and called them ‘two old men.’  

“I’m back training, started taking over a little bit in the gym preparing for the rumored fight, which isn’t confirmed yet, which is obviously Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic, New York City.  As I said, this fight hasn’t been confirmed,” Aspinall said.  

“After my last fight against Curtis Blaydes, there was some talk about me being the backup fighter.  The UFC spoke to me directly about that and I said, ‘I’m in.’  Somebody pulls out, I’m in.  One days notice, ten days notice, ten weeks notice, one-hours notice, I’ll be prepared for that date, so you let me know,” Aspinall continued.  

“I’m ready to take the fight.  I’m No. 1 in the division, not Jon Jones, not Stipe Miocic.  They’re a couple of older fellas having a fight, fighting for the title for some reason.  I don’t know why that reason is.  I am the guy at heavyweight, so I”m ready to prove that on an hour’s notice if I need to.  No problem.  I’ll be there.”

Aspinall. has heard rumors of potential injuries and believes both Jones and Miocic are ‘injury prone’ at their ages.  

“I’m hearing rumors that Stipe is potentially injured.  These are stuff that I’m hearing from inner circles.  Stipe, I believe his birthday was yesterday actually, he’s 42-years old.  The guy is going to be injury prone.  Jon Jones, a million miles on the clock, he’s going to be injury prone,” said Aspinall.  

“Me, I’m ready to go.  I’m not even in my prime yet.  I’m hungry for it.  I’m not sure these two guys are, but I am and I’ll fight either of them for the undisputed title on any notice.  I’m ready,” continued the interim champion.

“Jon Jones had an amazing career.  I ain’t putting Jon Jones down.  Jon Jones isn’t the best heavyweight in the world right now.  That’s me, so I want what’s mine.  I’m pissed off for greatness.  I believe that I should be the No. 1 heavyweight in the world.  I feel like I’ve done what it takes to deserve that and I’m ready to prove it.  Jon Jones isn’t.  That’s all.  My issue with Jon Jones is he’s got the belt and I want it.  I want it.  I’ve got the belt too and I want to unify the belts.  There shouldn’t be two heavyweight champions.  There should be one.” 

“I just want the belt.  The issue is not with Jon.  The issue is not with Stipe.  The issue is with them holding the belt hostage.”      

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MMA: Mixed Martial Arts

The PFL 9 weigh-in video features all 20 fighters set to compete on Friday’s card at The Anthem in Washington, D.C.

The fight card features semifinal matchups for the featherweight and welterweight divisions as fighters vie for their chance to compete in the championship event for the chance to win $ 1 million.

In the main event, past featherweight season winner Brendan Loughnane faces UFC veteran Kai Kamaka III. Both fighters have to hit the 146-pound limit for a non-title fight.

For co-main event competitors Magomed Umalatov and Neiman Gracie, both semifinalists will have to hit the 171-pound welterweight limit for a non-title fight.

The PFL 9 ceremonial weigh-ins kick off at 6 p.m. ET. Watch a live stream above.

Official PFL 9 weigh-ins took place Thursday morning.

See official results below.

Main Card (ESPN/ESPN+, 9 p.m. ET)

Brendan Loughnane (146) vs. Kai Kamaka III (145.6)

Magomed Umalatov (170.6) vs. Neiman Gracie (170)

Gabriel Braga (146) vs. Timur Khizriev (145.8)

Shamil Musaev (170.2) vs. Murad Ramazanov (171)

Preliminary Card (ESPN/ESPN+, 6 p.m. ET)

Ray Cooper III vs. Mukhamed Berkhamov

Eric Alequin vs. Luca Poclit

Tyler Diamond (145.6) vs. Enrique Barzola (145.4)

Jesse Stirn (145.6) vs. Jose Perez (145.3)

Maxwell Djantou Nana (263.8) vs. Kent Mafileo (248)

Shido Boris Esperanca (170.8) vs. Tyler Hill (171)

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Fighting Words
| BJPenn.com

UFC

“I’m ready to go, lad.”

Jon Jones is supposed to be fighting Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in November.

So why hasn’t the promotion made the fight official? We’re less than three months until the Nov. 16 pay-per-view (PPV) card pops off inside Madison Square Garden in New York City, but Dana White and Co. have maintained radio silence over its heavyweight headliner.

Interim champion, Tom Aspinall, is hearing rumors about a potential injury.

“I’m hearing rumors that Stipe is potentially injured,” Aspinall told fans on YouTube. “This is stuff I’m hearing from inner circles. Stipe, I believe his birthday was yesterday, actually, he’s 42 years old. The guy is gonna be injury prone. Jon Jones, million miles on the clock, he’s gonna be injury prone. Me, I’m ready to go, lad. I’m not even in my prime yet. I’m hungry for it. I’m not sure these two guys are, but I am. I’ll fight either of them for the undisputed title on any notice. I’m ready.”

Jones is returning from a year-long injury setback after tearing his pectoral muscle.

During his absence, Aspinall won the substitute strap by stopping Russian bruiser Sergei Pavlovich, then defended the belt with an emphatic victory over Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 in London. That led to multiple callouts of “Bones” which to date, have been ignored.

Hopefully Miocic can clear the air (or confirm the injury) sooner, rather than later.

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MMA: Mixed Martial Arts

Francis Ngannou knows how the game works, especially when it comes to Dana White.

Now that he’s preparing for his PFL debut, which comes more than a year after he passed on a lucrative offer to stay with the UFC and test free agency, the former heavyweight champion understands that his former boss can create whatever story he wants about avoiding a potential fight against Jon Jones.

Following the most recent edition of The Contender Series, White put the blame on Ngannou as he responded to a question about that potential matchup when he claimed “you can’t make people fight and we couldn’t make Francis fight [Jon Jones].”

On Thursday during a pre-fight press conference to promote his fight against Renan Ferreira in October, Ngannou smiled when asked about White saying that he was the one who prevented a fight against Jones from happening.

“I think that’s the new narrative since he needs to say something either way,” Ngannou said. “As far as I’m concerned, it was Jon Jones that didn’t want to fight me — according to them. So many times we sit down on the meeting, [they said] ‘oh it can’t happen, Jon Jones doesn’t want to fight anymore. He’s living in Albuquerque, he’s living his small life, he has a lot of money in his bank account.’

“I think the guy who controls the narrative can say whatever he wants. But that’s just the narrative.”

While he openly pursued the fight against Jones going back several years, Ngannou admits that the only way he would have turned down that potential matchup was if that became a condition of his negotiations with the UFC.

Prior to leaving the company, Ngannou made it clear he was seeking some concessions in his contract to allow him more freedom to pursue outside interests like the boxing matches he eventually landed with Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.

Ngannou also sought other conditions beyond just money that eventually led to him leaving the heavyweight title behind when he exited the UFC.

Looking back now, the 37-year-old Cameroon native doesn’t have any regrets but he can promise that he never just passed on Jones as an opponent simply because he was desperately trying to avoid that fight.

“I was the one requesting the Jon Jones fight but I didn’t want [to get trapped] into some deal and get to something that I didn’t want. I wanted things to be straight and square. So yes, I wanted to fight Jon Jones but in good conditions. Not just to fight to be paid out.”

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