The former UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou, shocked the entire MMA world with his new decision. When Ngannou left, the UFC fans were highly disappointed, as they were looking forward to the battle between Jon Jones and Ngannou. Things took a different turn when ‘The Predator’ chose to leave the world’s biggest MMA promotion.
The Cameroonian-French fighter held negotiations with the UFC president, Dana White, for nearly two years, but nothing seemed to work out between the two parties. Ngannou wanted the promotion to agree to some of his demands, which included a lucrative paycheck, health insurance for the fighters, and permission to take contracts outside the UFC. However, White was not ready to give in to all that he wanted.
The disagreements and failed negotiations between the two parties ended up with the 36-year-old leaving the promotion. Following this, many speculated that Ngannou might turn to boxing. Nonetheless, on May 16, the MMA world was stunned to hear that ‘The Predator’ joined the UFC’s rival promotion, PFL. Following the new decision of Ngannou, a verbal war broke out between ‘The Predator’ and ‘Bones.’
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Fans react to Francis Ngannou calling out Jon Jones
At the moment, Ngannou has ended his free agency and is all set to take the next step in his fighting career. On May 16, PFL welcomed Ngannou through their official Instagram account. Following the Professional Fighters League’s announcement, Ngannou took to his YouTube channel and called himself “the baddest motherf**ker on the planet”. The UFC heavyweight champion took a dig at Ngannou, by tweeting “Calling yourself the baddest man on the planet from across the street. Who does that? Lol.”
The Cameroonian-French fighter didn’t choose silence as a response to Jones’ remark; instead, he replied, “Then cross the street.” PFL has agreed to the condition of Ngannou that his opponents get nearly $2 Million for every fight. Followed by this, Ngannou called out Jones. Fans were quick to react.
One of the fans compared the bout between Jones and Ciryl Gane to Ngannou versus Gane.
@JonnyBones finished @ciryl_gane with 0 problems… you on the other hand went the distance and barley got the win…
— I.T. Crypto (@B1A1A9) May 16, 2023
Another fan reminded ‘The Predator’ that his level has gone down since he joined the PFL.
You can't call yourself the baddest when you're fighting fighting bums. That's like going from the NBA back to college basketball
— Tehsin Amlani (@Tehsin_Amlani) May 16, 2023
One of the Twitter users stated that the bout between the two will take place on a “street.”
Ngannou vs Jones: Coming to a Street Near You. pic.twitter.com/aizyLqBlt6
— AFeldmanMMA (@afeldMMA) May 16, 2023
One of the fans mocked Ngannou for joining the PFL.
LOL!! yeah cause the "Baddest Man on the Planet" fights in the PFL 😂😂😂
— tkChills (@tkChills) May 16, 2023
One of the Twitter users felt that the drama going on now was quite unnecessary.
This is sad, no disrespect but you didn’t want the fight. It is what it is
— Daniel (@daniel_dinoia) May 16, 2023
One fan pointed out that the UFC president will let Jones fight Ngannou.
Daddy Dana will never let him… 😆
— Emperor Kaash 🇳🇬🇬🇭 (@EmperorKaash) May 16, 2023
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Another fan felt that he was “running” from Jones.
Running from Bones pic.twitter.com/QEOZAWX1bR
— sklen (@j_sklen) May 16, 2023
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From the reactions of the fans, it is clear that many of them are not happy with Ngannou’s decision to join the PFL. Also, they don’t believe that the bout between Jones and Ngannou will come to fruition as they are signed to two different promotions at the moment.
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