Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou possible? Saudi royalty targeting superfight despite Dana White’s stance

Out of matchup ideas? Saudi GEA boxing chief Turki Alalshikh could 'send Dana White to the moon' with Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou.

Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou possible? Saudi royalty targeting superfight despite Dana White’s stance

Turki Alalshikh gives a not-so-direct tease of making UFC's Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou a possibility (Source: X)

Turki Alalshikh has big plans for Francis Ngannou in both the boxing and MMA arenas. Alalshikh is the Saudi moneyman who has pulled together most of the major boxing events over the past two years. The Cameroonian made his pro boxing debut as part of the extended Riyadh Season opener, from the Saudi boxing chief. Now, the chances of a super fight with UFC heavyweight Jon Jones are amping up, yet again.

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will be in action for the second time this year on the 21st of December thanks to the deep pockets of Turki. He’s also the man who put ‘The Predator’ in the ring against Fury and Anthony Joshua. Ngannou performed with pure athleticism against the English ex-WBC lineal heavyweight but lost on both counts.

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Despite the losses though — one controversially, Turki Alalshikh is open to more opportunities for Ngannou. On the ‘DAZN Ariel X Ade’ Show, the Saudi GEA chairman teased those opportunities might have room for Jon Jones as well.

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Francis will come to me in December to watch the [Usyk vs. Fury] rematch, …We have a lot of business together. I have on the table two options for Francis: one in MMA and one in boxing I want to discuss…The MMA, you know all the time, my answer is all the time we want to do the biggest things. We need to send Dana White to the moon!

Turki Alalshikh on the ‘DAZN Ariel X Ade’ Show for DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing)

Ngannou vs. Jon Jones has been a big MMA what-if for ages. The Cameroonian parted ways with the UFC after not coming to terms with the deal the promotion offered. However, CEO Dana White often says Ngannou was afraid of that fight and left as he’d be unable to money-hog pay-per-view (PPV) points and bonuses if he lost to Jones. “Bones” also took three years out to bulk and on failed contractual hashes for it.

The fighter finally snagged the vacant heavyweight title in March of 2023, after Ngannou left. However, the stance hasn’t changed much on it. Both Jon Jones and the super fight rival are keen on it and often keep the call-up going. But to no avail. If not MMA – Alalshikh has one more plan in mind.

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If there’s one man who can make an offer big enough to make the UFC reconsider its tough stance on no co-promotion, it’s Turki Alalshikh. Conversely, if there’s one man who can resist the urge for a big Saudi GEA payment to keep the UFC’s low wage frame and contractual freedom intact, it’s White. Friends with Alalshikh, he now often brushes off a Jon Jones vs. Ngannou question with a “we’ll see“. He also dumbs down Ngannou’s boxing ventures.

Turki Alalshikh is also open to future boxing stints for Francis Ngannou
Turki Alalshikh is also open to future boxing stints for Francis Ngannou (Source: boxemag.com/X)

Perhaps the biggest thorn is that Francis Ngannou utilized his free agency and MMA management to sign up with rival promotion PFL. Frantic “Franny” also returned big in MMA and won the Super Fight title (read fight highlights) at the PFL ‘Battle of the Giants’ pay-per-view. After the two fights in his contract, he’ll again have the management freedom to make big fights.

Big for the taking, Deontay Wilder recently made a call-up to the red hot fighter in boxing. The Riyadh Season magnate likes this idea for what’s next for Ngannou in boxing.

Why we not see Ngannou against Wilder? …I need to sit with Wilder. Two minutes to see his condition, I can catch it from two minutes if he’s ready or not. I don’t want to waste time and money anymore. I need to check first if he’s still got it.

Turki Alalshikh further said on the ‘DAZN Ariel X Ade’ Show
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Ngannou has also got some big Africa fight offers from other longstay boxers. ABA super-heavyweight and two-time WBC heavyweight title challenger Derek Chisora recently called him out. It’s abundantly clear that ‘Predator’ is still the match to make in whatever ruleset. Where he goes from here will be interesting to see.

Related: Dana White unloads brutal rant at Francis Ngannou over ‘back pay’ scandal