Francis Ngannou

UFC president Dana White still has a strong interest in bringing the promotion to Africa in the near future.

“He’ll never be in the UFC again,” [White said about Ngannou](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/03/ufc-news-dana-white-francis-ngannou-will-never-fight-in-ufc-again), who became a free agent in January after failed negotiations with the company. “Africa is very, very on my radar,” White said. Established African stars like Usman and Adesanya will have their shot at reclaiming their titles soon, and the talent pool from Africa is growing. Since then, Usman and Adesanya lost title fights and Ngannou exited the promotion, vacating the heavyweight throne. If you look at some of the fights that we put on with the nationalities, that sh*t was unheard of 30 years ago.” In September, White

Ahead of UFC 285, Gane shared how big a challenge Jones would be for him. He also contrasted Jones' abilities as against former heavyweight champion ...

Certainly, taking on Jones will be a pretty tough challenge as he is considered by many experts to be the No. Ahead of the big fight, Gane shared how big a challenge Jones would be for him. I want to surprise, I want to shock the world," said Gane. I want to beat this guy for this, to prove I can do it, and to prove I'm also the best guy on this planet... The mind games and boastful talks ahead of the much-awaited contest between Jones and Gane, has already peaked interest of the fans. The high-voltage contest will decide the new champion in heavyweight division.

Former champion Francis Ngannou reacted to new champ Jon Jones following his win at UFC 285.

After leaving the UFC, Ngannou has been trying to start his boxing career and has targeted fights against champions such as Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury. Ngannou (17-3) left the UFC in January once he and the promotion could not agree on his new contract due to pay disagreements. Though he is no longer with the UFC, former heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou was watching UFC 285 closely in order to see who would get the belt he vacated.

But the MMA community heaped GOAT praise on "Bones."

[#ufc285] [March 5, 2023] [#UFC285] [March 5, 2023] [March 5, 2023]

After Jon Jones' win to claim the heavyweight title at UFC 285, thoughts immediately turned to what's next for the division. While MMA fans will clamor for ...

He has left the door open for a return to mixed martial arts though. White said, plainly, "He'll never be in UFC again." After UFC 285 weigh-ins, White was asked about the winner of the main event possibly facing Ngannou.

UFC president Dana White currently has no interest in future negotiations with former heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.

After Jon Jones made easy work of Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 , delivering a first-round submission to be crowned the new heavyweight champion, former heavyweight ...

[#ufc285] [March 5, 2023] [#UFC285] [March 5, 2023] [March 5, 2023]

Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has sent Jon Jones a message after picking up the 265lb strap against Ciryl Gane at UFC 285. Ngannou, who ...

Speaking about his performance, Jones added: "I had a strong conviction that if I were to get him down to the ground, the fight would be in my area. "With kickboxing you never know what's going to happen – he zigs, I zag – there was a major feeling out process. I'm going to train my a** off and I'm going to beat his a**." Jones submitted Gane in the first round via guillotine choke to become the UFC’s eighth two-weight world champion. Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has sent Jon Jones a message after picking up the 265lb strap against Ciryl Gane at UFC 285. You're the greatest heavyweight of all-time, and that's what I want.

Ngannou relinquished the UFC heavyweight title earlier this year after failing to reach an agreement over a new contract to remain with the promotion, ...

[Jon Jones returned to the UFC on Saturday night to claim the title, submitting Ciryl Gane in Las Vegas to become a two-weight champion.](/sport/mma/article-11822393/Jon-Jones-DESTROYS-Ciryl-Gane-incredible-ease-claim-vacant-heavyweight-title-UFC-285.html) That's over. 'It's over. Jones Jones (left) won the vacant heavyweight title at UFC 285 on Saturday evening [Ngannou left the UFC earlier this year after failing to agree a new contract](/sport/mma/article-11636769/UFC-bombshell-Dana-White-confirms-Francis-Ngannou-released-contract-turning-deal.html) [Jones won the vacant heavyweight title with a win over Ciryl Gane on Saturday](/sport/mma/article-11822393/Jon-Jones-DESTROYS-Ciryl-Gane-incredible-ease-claim-vacant-heavyweight-title-UFC-285.html) [Francis Ngannou](/sport/francis-ngannou/index.html) has insisted he is still the heavyweight king of the MMA.

Jones returned after a three-year layoff to win the UFC heavyweight title and Ngannou responded to his fight by declaring himself the "heavyweight king"

I mean that with all due respect, my whole world is going to be focused on him, This is the biggest opportunity of my life to be the heavyweight goat and I'm going to give it everything I've got. The new champion sent a warning to Miocic in his post-fight interview by advising the former champion to ditch his second job as a firefighter and focus entirely on preparing to fight him. Ngannou revealed that he turned down a $8million offer to remain with the UFC and fight Jones as he wasn't happy with other terms of his deal. I believe that I'll go into my next fight with an even higher level of confidence, I believe that I will look even better and have even higher endurance than I did today." Sincerely, the heavyweight king." 'Bones' is now one of the few two-weight champions in UFC history and the consensus greatest fighter of all-time already has his next challenger lined up, as he will face former champion Miocic later this year.

But the MMA community heaped GOAT praise on "Bones."

[#ufc285] [March 5, 2023] [#UFC285] [March 5, 2023] [March 5, 2023]

Francis Ngannou reacts to Jon Jones submission victory over Ciryl Gane in the UFC 285 PPV main event on March 4 in Las Vegas and declares himself the ...

[never again step foot inside the Octagon](https://www.mmamania.com/2023/3/4/23624673/midnight-mania-dana-white-shuts-down-hope-francis-ngannou-its-over-ufc-espn-mma), it’s unlikely we’ll see “The Predator” square off with Jones. Similarly, Ngannou [balked at the suggestion](https://www.mmamania.com/2020/5/28/21273204/francis-ngannou-best-reaction-ufc-cheapskate-matchmaking-jon-jones-video) of battling “Bones” for his regular fight purse. [wanted “Deontay Wilder” money](https://www.mmamania.com/2020/5/29/21274475/dana-white-reveals-that-jon-jones-wanted-deontay-wilder-money-for-ngannou-superfight-ufc-mma-espn) to get the deal done. Jones was later paired with former interim champion Ciryl Gane in the UFC 285 pay-per-view (PPV) main event and it took “Bones” [roughly two minutes to dispose of “Bon Gamin.”](https://www.mmamania.com/2023/3/5/23625556/jon-jones-ciryl-gane-full-fight-blog-live-round-by-round-updates-ufc-285-espn-ppv) It also marks the first submission for “Bones” since slapping a keylock on Vitor Belfort in late 2012 and the first time “Bon Gamin” has been finished in his professional MMA career. [here](https://www.mmamania.com/2023/3/5/23625231/watch-full-fight-video-highlights-jon-jones-ciryl-gane-ufc-285-results-espn-ppv-las-vegas-submission).