With the ending of UFC 270 fightcard – many fans started fantasizing about the inevitable clash between Francis Ngannou and the longtime Light Heavyweight GOAT Jon Jones. In his tenure Jones is practically undefeated with the only loss of his career coming from a disqualification.
In spite of the contentious battle with Ngannou – and Jon Jones over money demands White is cautiously optimistic. Late last night when he dismissed that he ‘dissed’ Ngannou he also addressed the big money fight rumors.
During his Q&A Wednesday on ESPN+ White said:
“For anybody thinking I was showing any type of disrespect towards Francis: I saw Francis all week, you idiots. I shook his hand, I said hi to him, I was out there for the staredowns, the whole thing. So for anybody to think that there was some type of disrespect shown towards Francis—I wasn’t out there for [Michael Bisping vs Luke Rockhold 2 at UFC 199], either, because I was dealing with some stuff. And I sprinted from the back. I didn’t even have my jacket on. I still only had my shirt on to go out there and put the belt on Bisping, but I couldn’t make it out there to put the belt on Francis.”
“There’s only been one time that I’ve walked out on a fight and made it very clear, showed up to the press conference and said, ‘This is exactly why I left.’ It was in Abu Dhabi. So there’s the answer.”
White also addressed another big issue – if he’d be looking to book Jon Jones vs Ngannou in 2022:
“And I think another big fight, if it’s possible to get it done, would be Jon Jones and Francis.”
But many believe Cyril Gane is the most skilled heavyweight fighter in the UFC. After all Gane has a legitimate Muay Thai background and had been winning up until the faithful 3rd round of UFC 270 when Ngannou started to wrestle.
The post fight press conference was interesting in many ways – but White’s absence overshadowed an interesting moment. A reporter had asked Francis Ngannou the following:
Would you feel that Jon Jones, perhaps, would be the second best fighter in the heavyweight division in the UFC or is it Cyril Gane?
Ngannou answered: “I don’t know the position of Jon Jones right now – I think skill wise Jon Jones is by far the best. You know I think, he’s really good. ”
Ngannou also raised an interesting question – How come nobody is asking about Stipe Miocic? Former Heavyweight champion certainly can’t be counted out when it comes to the overall most skilled title contender in the Heavyweight division.