The UFC is preparing for its first live, sold-out event since the start of the coronavirus pandemic Saturday in Jacksonville, Florida.
That card prompts plenty of excitement, with three different titles on the line. However, MMA fans might be dismayed to learn a potential super fight between Jon Jones and heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has been tabled, at least for now.
Dana White said on The Bill Simmons Podcast the company tried to work with Jones to arrange the fight. However, White suggested the UFC is moving on with plans to book Ngannou against heavyweight contender Derrick Lewis:
“We tried to work with Jon, and, you know, we eventually have to move on,” White said, via Shaheen Al-Shatti of The Athletic. “Because realistically, in all honesty, Derrick Lewis is the guy who deserves the (Ngannou) fight … So that's the fight that should happen and we'll just roll and do what we do.”
There was plenty of speculation the UFC could book Jones vs. Ngannou after the latter defeated Stipe Miocic for the heavyweight strap at the end of March.
Jones, who recently vacated the light heavyweight title to move to heavyweight, hinted after the fight he would love to challenge Ngannou… for the right price.
But it seems the UFC and Jones were never able to reach an agreement on a price point. Instead, Ngannou could be on a collision course with Lewis.
The two heavyweights previously met at UFC 226 in July of 2018. The fight was widely regarded as one of the worst in the division's history. However, both fighters have made significant gains in the past few years.
A possible Jones-Ngannou super-fight will have to wait, for the time being.