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Francis Ngannou Accused of “Running From Jon Jones” as PFL Star’s MMA Return Leaves Fans Divided

Published 02/23/2024, 1:11 AM EST

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Francis Ngannou wants to return to MMA, the sport that made him famous. The knockout power of the heavyweight giant is still intact and it last showed itself in his boxing match against Tyson Fury. In a recent interview, he just confirmed his intent to return to the cage.

Moreover, he may also have two bright possibilities ahead of him as a championship bout between Renan Fereira and Ryan Bader approaches. “It’s my intention to return to the sport when exactly I don’t know.” He told ESPN. “I think (it) all depending on March 8. Everything depend on March 8. . . both are champion (Bader and Fereira) and then they’re gonna be champ-champ so I think there wasn’t a better way to find a opponent for me.” 

While his next MMA bout may be confirmed, the one bout that still haunts him is one that never happened. That’s right, the UFC super-fight between Ngannou and Jon Jones still remains a dream for many. Even Ngannou has previously noted how he would love to fight Jones and that it would be much bigger than any title fight out there.

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It would be the clash of two giants. But will it ever even happen? Fans are still clinging on to the possibility of it but ‘The Predator’ has already left the promotion that Jones still competes in. Now, perhaps we’ll never really get to see it happen with ‘Bones’ on the brink of retirement.

Jon Jones was almost set for retirement before he was interrupted by a pectoral injury that put him out of action for the time being. The fighter has been recovering from it just so he can prepare for his Stipe Miocic bout. Either way, a Ngannou battle remains much more desired. And that just shows in the way fans reacted to the PFL news.

Is Francis Ngannou afraid of Jones?

Let’s face it, if Ngannou is in fact afraid of Jones, it’s only reasonable. The terrifying heavyweight GOAT of the UFC could scare any fighter with his technical prowess, fight IQ, and sheer skill. However, some fans are convinced all the French-Cameroonian wants is to run away.

“He is afraid of bones Jones and we know it”

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Some accused him of running away from the UFC because of Jones.

“Running from Jon Jones”

Some have given up on the bout.

“Would he beat Jon jones ? That’s the question I wish could be answered but we’ll never know”

Meanwhile, others believe Ngannou’s competition against either of the PFL champions is underwhelming.

“Francis would actually be charged with murder fighting Bader.”

“Well congrats to Francis on beating Ferreira or Bader”

Others felt a similar way abut Bader or Ferreira.

“RIP the winner of Ferreira and Bader then”

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“Make sure there’s an ambulance on scene”

Meanwhile, others compared it all to the UFC.

“Honestly though, who in PFL challenges Francis compared to who he faced in the UFC”

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Clearly, Ngannou versus Jones is yet another MMA debate that may never be settled. All we have for now is Ngannou and Jones’ next MMA bout. If the two ever cross paths, it remains difficult, at least, and impossible at most. Do you want to see the fight happen?

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Written by:

Prit Chauhan

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Prit Chauhan is a UFC writer at EssentiallySports. His portfolio shows him as the go-to event coverage writer at ES and his work on UFC 297 is proof of the same. As an experienced writer and a longtime MMA fan, Prit’s strong suit lies in telling the relatively unknown and more personal stories of fights and fighters.
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Edited by:

Tushhita Barua