Veteran UFC commentator Joe Rogan is praising the highly anticipated fight behind Jon Jones vs. Francis Nganno. Despite the buzz surrounding Jon Jones possibly facing Tom Aspinall, Rogan believes the real blockbuster fight is Jones vs. Tom Aspinall. Ngannou.
Before Tom Aspinall became the interim champion at UFC 295, fans were calling for a fight between John Jones and Francis Nganno. Ngannou was the UFC’s lineal heavyweight champion until early last year when a dispute over fighters’ pay led to his retirement from the UFC. This led to Jones fighting Ciryl Gane at UFC 285, where he won the heavyweight title.
Another Entrance to Ngannou
After leaving the UFC, Ngannou initially signed with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) on terms required by the UFC. His contract allowed him to explore fighting against top heavyweights like Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. Despite this, Joe Rogan, who joined former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson on the JRE MMA show, is optimistic about a possible Jones-Nganno fight
The Potential Release of Dana White
Rogan pointed out that UFC President Dana White is not entirely open to creating a cross-promotion between the UFC and PFL for this fight, especially due to the involvement of Saudi investors. Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in sports with the goal of becoming a sports tourism destination. Rogan said White, in a recent interview, hinted at the possibility of cooperation for a significant payday. “I’m happy he got the money but I wish he would have made it in the UFC. My dream fight is John Jones vs. Francis,” Rogan said, sharing his excitement.
The Rampage Jackson Investigation
Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson is equally excited about a possible fight. He believes it will be a great event, noting Jones’ approach to martial arts. Jackson believed Jones would likely avoid standing and knocking out Ngannou, one of the strongest fighters in UFC history, and instead take the fight to the floor “John Jones is smart not to fight ni Francis. He held Francis down and tried to hand him over,” Jackson said.
Jones’s Methodology
Rogan agreed with Jackson’s assessment, stressing that Jones is not known for striking ability but excels in grappling and ground-and-pound techniques “John has never been a one-hitter. He beats guys and beats them on the floor for neck and neck,” Rogan added. But time is running out for this dream game as Jones nears retirement.
Jones’ Next Fight and Possibly His Last
Jon Jones is preparing for what he calls “the most important fight” of his career against Stipe Miocic. The fight is expected to take place later this year, possibly in September. Many fans and analysts believe this will be Jones’ last fight, given Miocic’s credentials as one of the great heavyweights. But some fans are disappointed and feel the matchup is predictable, as Jones will likely win.
Fans Desire for a Different Opponent
Fans were vocal in wanting Jones to be interim champion Tom Aspinall instead. Espinal’s well-rounded skill set and current form is a real challenge for Jones. But Jones expressed no desire to face the Englishman, preferring to fight Miocic to cement his legacy.
The Clock is Ticking
Jones is expected to retire soon, so the window for Jones to fight Nganno is over. However, in the unpredictable world of the UFC, anything is possible. White could offer Jones a lucrative deal to face Ngannou instead of Miocic, especially with financial backing from Saudi investors.
