The 2024 PFL World Championships crowned new champions and awarded $1 million to each titleholder, but a new conversation quickly emerged from the event: the potential superfight between Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou. While both fighters are at the top of the heavyweight division, the question remains — will UFC president Dana White be willing to make this dream match happen?
PFL CEO Peter Murray was asked during an interview if a cross-promotional bout between a UFC fighter and a PFL fighter could be a reality. His answer was clear: “Yes, we’re supportive of it. The fighters want the fight, Jon Jones wants the fight, Francis wants the fight, we want the fight. Our partners in Saudi Arabia want the fight, so it really comes down to whether the UFC is willing to step up.”
Ngannou himself has made no secret of his desire to face Jones, as he recently told TMZ Sports, “We both know we want this fight, for sure.” With both men eager for the showdown, the question shifts to whether UFC’s Dana White is open to the idea of cross-promotion.
Fans Weigh In: Will Dana White Allow Jones vs. Ngannou?
While the possibility of a fight between the two heavyweights has fans excited, some MMA enthusiasts believe that UFC has little to gain from a cross-promotional event. Despite the PFL’s rapid rise in the MMA world, many argue that the UFC, with its massive global reach, doesn’t need a partnership with the PFL, especially given the UFC’s history of dominant pay-per-view events.
One fan noted, “Why would UFC want to promote this? They are far bigger than the PFL, and PFL needs UFC more than the other way around.” The disparity is evident when looking at recent pay-per-view sales: the PFL’s Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira event generated around 10,000 buys, while Jon Jones’ UFC 309 bout reportedly raked in $16.7 million at the gate, marking one of the UFC’s biggest events in history.
On the other hand, some fans are pushing for a different matchup — Francis Ngannou vs. interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall. Aspinall has expressed interest in unifying the titles with Jones, though Jones has repeatedly dismissed the idea, stating that Aspinall will eventually lose in the near future, leaving Jones’ legacy untarnished.
Dana White: The Key Obstacle for the Superfight
Ngannou himself sees Dana White as the major obstacle to the fight. In an interview with Sirius XM Fight Nation’s MMA Today, Ngannou stated, “The only guy standing in the way of that fight is Dana White. I want the fight. Jones wants the fight. It’s a new narrative, but Dana will never let that happen.”
Some fans believe White’s reluctance to allow the fight could be driven by the UFC’s dominance in the sport. A cross-promotion with the PFL could elevate a rival organization and dilute the UFC’s exclusive control over the MMA market. “Wouldn’t it be a step up for PFL, but a step down for the UFC?” one fan asked, suggesting that UFC would be hesitant to share its massive viewership with its competitor.
The Saudi Factor: Could Turki Alalshikh Make It Happen?
While the possibility of a cross-promotion hinges largely on Dana White’s approval, there is another influential figure in the equation: Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority. Alalshikh played a crucial role in securing high-profile boxing matches for Ngannou, including bouts against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. With Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in global combat sports, Alalshikh could potentially broker a deal to make Jones vs. Ngannou a reality, regardless of White’s stance.
“If anyone can make it happen, it’s Alalshikh,” said one fan. “It would be the biggest event for the PFL, and if Jones retires and then moves to the PFL, it might be the only way we get this fight.”
The Future of Jones vs. Ngannou
While a Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou superfight remains an exciting prospect, it faces significant hurdles. For UFC, the potential benefits of a cross-promotion are unclear, and Dana White’s reluctance to share the spotlight with a rival promotion continues to stand in the way. However, with both fighters eager for the bout and the growing influence of Saudi-backed organizations, there may be hope yet for the fight to come to fruition.
For now, fans continue to debate whether the fight will ever happen — and if it does, whether it will be a victory for MMA fans or a loss for the UFC’s dominance. What do you think? Will Dana White step up to make Jones vs. Ngannou happen? Let us know in the comments.
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