Jake Paul has issued a challenge to the UFC, urging them to sanction a high-stakes “winner-takes-all” mixed martial arts bout featuring Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou.
Jon Jones currently holds the UFC heavyweight title, but he seems reluctant to fight the top contender, Tom Aspinall.
Ngannou departed the UFC in 2022, signing with the competing Professional Fighters League and focusing on his boxing career.
Jones (36) indicated his interest, stating he heard Ngannou was still open to the idea. He called it a “real super fight” and a “clash of champions,” highlighting their different paths to the top. Jones emphasized that it would be a collision of two established legacies, adding something significant to his career narrative.
Ngannou (38) responded, suggesting they both focus on their respective promotions (UFC for Jones, PFL for Ngannou) and eventually settle the debate over the “KING OF THE HEAVYWEIGHT.”
PFL founder Donn Davis proposed a “winner take all” scenario for a fight between the two, where the winning fighter and their respective promotion (PFL or UFC) would receive 100% of the event profits.
YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul, who is signed with PFL, described the potential matchup as the “perfect final dance” for the “two greatest MMA heavyweights.” He argued that both fighters desire the bout and that it would be significant for the sport, fans, and business, questioning who wouldn`t want to see it.
Ngannou (38) left the UFC as the reigning champion in 2022. He transitioned to boxing, notably fighting Tyson Fury (36) in 2023. In that bout, Ngannou achieved a knockdown but ultimately lost by a contentious split decision.
In 2024, he suffered a knockout loss to Anthony Joshua (35). Later that year, he returned to mixed martial arts under the PFL banner, defeating Renan Ferreira (35).
Meanwhile, Jones (36) has not competed since his victory over UFC veteran Stipe Miocic (42) in November.
Despite the appeal of a super-fight with Jones, UFC President Dana White downplayed the possibility of Ngannou returning to the promotion. White stated that the next title opportunity belongs to Tom Aspinall, emphasizing that Ngannou is not under UFC contract and Aspinall is the rightful challenger.
