Francis Ngannou has no regrets. The former UFC heavyweight champion could have spent years chasing a fight with Jon Jones, but he’s moved on. While the MMA world continues debating who the true “Baddest Man on the Planet” is, Ngannou is focused on challenges that are actually within reach.
In early 2022, Ngannou parted ways with the UFC after rejecting a contract that he felt was too restrictive. Just as he left, Jones finally returned from his long hiatus, moved up to heavyweight, and won the vacant title. Many blamed Ngannou for leaving just as the dream fight was possible, but he sees things differently.
“If you can get past Dana White, it could happen,” Ngannou told Sportsbook Review. “That’s the biggest obstacle.”
‘I Tried for Four Years’
Ngannou claims the UFC strung him along, dangling a potential Jones fight as a bargaining chip.
“I’ve been trying to fight Jon Jones since I knocked out Jairzinho Rozenstruik in 2020,” he said. “They kept holding it out like bait, and just when I was ready to leave, they suddenly offered it. But I knew it was a trap.”
Instead of locking himself into an unfavorable deal, Ngannou chose freedom. Looking back, he has no regrets.
“I sleep just fine,” he said. “I’ve done things on my terms, and I don’t need that fight to prove anything.”
From Fury to Wilder—Ngannou’s Next Move
Ngannou has already made history outside the UFC, nearly shocking the world against Tyson Fury before suffering a tough defeat to Anthony Joshua. Now, he’s looking at another blockbuster fight, and it doesn’t require Dana White’s approval.
Saudi boxing powerhouse Turki Alalshikh is in control, and Ngannou is ready for whatever comes next.
“There are still massive fights out there,” he said. “Look at how big my fight with Fury was. And a second ‘Battle of the Baddest’ could be even bigger.”
The next fight on the horizon? A showdown with Deontay Wilder. Both men have something to prove—Ngannou is coming off a brutal loss, while Wilder’s recent performances have left fans questioning whether he still has his legendary knockout power.
There’s no better way to find out than putting two of combat sports’ most feared punchers in the ring. After his dominant knockout win over Renan Ferreira in PFL, Ngannou is ready to remind the world that he’s still one of the most dangerous heavyweights on the planet.
