Dana White refuses to rule out Saudi Arabian co-promotion to make Jon Jones vs Francis Ngannou super-fight

UFC boss Dana White has never been interested in co-promoting, even when super-fights are on the line.

However, new money from Saudi Arabian General Entertainment Authority chairman Turki Alalshikh has helped to make all of the biggest fights in combat sports. This includes making a previously impossible heavyweight boxing unification as well as a number of major world title bouts

Alalshikh even managed to broker the solving of bitter rivals Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren’s decades-long family feud. And after hosting the UFC’s first event in Saudi Arabia last week and coming on board as a rare name sponsor for their September pay-per-view, he could be about to do big things in MMA.

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Dana White not ruling out a potential co-promote for Jon Jones vs Francis Ngannou

Famously in the history of UFC, Dana White has never run any sort of co-promotion. He allowed deals with the likes of Fedor Emelianenko fall apart over the stipulation, and even opted against using UFC branding for the famous Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather boxing match in 2017.

But now Turki Alalshikh may be the man to finally get White to break his decades-long rule with industry disruptors PFL for one of the biggest fights that can be made in MMA. Francis Ngannou, who never lost his heavyweight title, has been boxing for the past few years, but still lays claim the ‘lineal’ UFC title.

However, when he left the promotion, he was stripped of the belt and his top contender Ciryl Gane faced Jon Jones for the vacant belt, which was ultimately won by the American. The lineage of the belt was further confused when Jones was forced out of his first defence against Stipe Miocic with injury.]

Now, the promotion also have an interim champion in Tom Aspinall, who many view as a more legitimate champion due to his dominance in the division over years. He will even defend his belt against Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 before Jones ever has a defence of his own.

And with Ngannou now signed to PFL, where he is expected to make his debut against Renan Ferreira later this year, it seems a fully undisputed champion being crowned is farther away than ever. But White appeared to open the door just a crack last night at the UFC 303 post-fight press conference.

Asked if Turki Alalshikh could facilitate an unheard of co-promotion with PFL for Jones vs Ngannou, White refuse to explicitly deny the possibility, saying: “Well, I actually respect Sheikh Turki, he’s a nice guy. We have actually formed a relationship over the last couple of months.

“I respect what he has done with boxing. This is the only guy that could pull this off and make these big fights. And the fights are good, you don’t have guys coming in and avoiding fights so they can get to the next payday.

“What this guy has done in a short amount of time is pretty incredible, so we’re obviously talking about lots of different options with this guy. I respect him. I like him, so we will see what the future holds.”

Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou have faced off on a number of occasions

During a number of PFL shows, Ngannou has come across Jones for intense meetings. Last summer, they squared up in Atlanta after Jones had cornered teammate Maurice Greene in his second regular season bout and appeared keen on fighting one another.

And in Saudi Arabia for the PFL’s champions vs champions event, they ran into one another again while Jones was making an appearance on the broadcast. When the UFC champion declared that he will beat Stipe Miocic, Tom Aspinall and then Ngannou, his rival replied: “In your dreams, you are f***ing fat.”

Speaking further about what is next for his career, Jones said: “I respect what [Ngannou] has done with boxing. This is the only guy that could pull this off and make these big fights. And the fights are good, you don’t have guys coming in and avoiding fights so they can get to the next payday.

“What this guy has done in a short amount of time is pretty incredible, so we’re obviously talking about lots of different options with this guy. I respect him. I like him, so we will see what the future holds.”

Dana White believes Francis Ngannou ‘didn’t want’ Jon Jones fight

During the latter stages of Ngannou’s UFC career as negotiations were breaking down, he was offered one of the highest purses in heavyweight history to defend his belt against Jones. But there was a belief that his new contract would be too restrictive, and he opted to leave for PFL and boxing glory.

Since then, he has fought Tyson Fury, arguably winning in many eyes as he lots a narrow split decision against a man who at the time was the unbeaten WBC heavyweight champion. His most recent outing didn’t go his way as he was viciously knocked out in two rounds by Anthony Joshua.

But despite those monstrous risks, White believes that he never wanted to fight Jones and was afraid of that matchup. “We did everything in our power to try and make that Jon Jones fight and it is what it is,” White said during an appearance on the Club Shay Shay podcast.

“Not only is Jon Jones not afraid of Francis, Jon Jones is the baddest fighter to ever live, in any combat sport. If you look, Jon Jones is undefeated in the UFC, he’s got one loss on his record, he lost to Steve Mazzagatti [who disqualified him for a controversial rule break].

“Then he goes out for three years, comes back, and beats Ciryl Gane (clicks fingers) like that, easily. In my opinion, he does the same thing to Francis, 100 per cent, does the same thing to Francis. Francis didn’t want to fight Jon Jones.”

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