Ngannou and UFC CEO Dana White have been at odds over why fight between Ngannou and Jon Jones never materialized. White has claimed that Ngannou was the obstacle, while Ngannou argued that it was Jones who was reluctant to negotiate during Ngannou’s contract discussions. With Ngannou now preparing for his PFL debut against Renan Ferreira in October. And Jones set to face Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 on November 16, the long-anticipated matchup remains elusive.
Despite the theoretical possibility of the UFC and PFL collaborating for a high-profile fight, UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture believes that such a partnership is highly improbable. Drawing from his own experience, Couture points to the UFC’s reluctance to co-promote with other organizations. Which he witnessed firsthand during his failed attempt to secure a fight against Fedor Emelianenko in 2007. The dispute ultimately led to a lawsuit and a legal battle that ended with Couture returning to the UFC due to the constraints of his career timeline.
Couture, reflecting on current state of MMA, said, “I know UFC’s got too big an ego to let that happen. That’s why the Fedor fight never happened. M-1 wanted to do a co-promotion, and the UFC’s never going to let that happen.”
With the UFC being the dominant force in MMA, the promotion has little incentive to collaborate with others and risk a potential defeat to a fighter from a rival organization. Couture expressed disappointment over this lack of cross-promotion, noting, “I don’t see the champ in the UFC ever getting a shot at fighting the champ from PFL or any other organization, and that’s unfortunate. It’s a shame the fans won’t get to see these types of matchups. That’s one of the flaws and issues in our sport right now.”
Couture remains hopeful that future changes in ownership, such as the recent acquisition of UFC by TKO Group Holdings, might alter the current stance. The influx of substantial funding from Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, led by Turki Al-Sheikh, could also impact the landscape of combat sports. Al-Sheikh has expressed interest in high-profile matchups like Ngannou vs. Jones, though UFC President Dana White has been non-committal. Stating, “We’ll see what the future holds,” while praising Al-Sheikh as a valuable business partner.
Couture also acknowledged that UFC’s CEO Ari Emanuel, who oversees TKO Group Holdings, will have significant influence over future decisions. “At the end of the day, Ari Emanuel is calling the shots. He has to do what’s best for the company, which includes UFC and WWE. The financial backing from Saudi Arabia could potentially make such matchups possible,” Couture said.
Despite the current barriers, Couture remains eager to see other potential matchups, such as Jon Jones versus Tom Aspinall. Which he believes would be an outstanding fight. “Aspinall and Jon Jones would be an amazing fight,” he asserted. “They need to unify those titles and make it happen.”
Regarding Ngannou, Couture recognizes the challenge ahead for the fighter after his nearly three-year hiatus from MMA. Couture believes Ngannou has a significant opportunity to reassert his place among the top heavyweights when he competes in October. “This is a huge fight for Francis for many reasons,” Couture said. “Getting back into the cage and sharpening his skills is crucial. MMA is a different game from boxing, and Ngannou’s willingness to step up shows he’s not afraid of any challenge.”
As the UFC remains the primary focus in the sport, Couture hopes for progress and expanded opportunities for cross-promotional events.
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