In the high-stakes world of MMA, few matchups have captured the imagination of the fans quite like Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou. A fight that promised to shake up the heavyweight division and create a lasting legacy in the sport. So why did it never happen? Was it a scheduling conflict, a personal decision, or something deeper?

Eric Nicksick, Ngannou’s coach and manager, recently spilled some eye-opening details on the Casuals MMA podcast, pulling back the curtain on what could’ve been the biggest showdown in UFC history. What went down behind closed doors, and what stopped this epic clash from becoming a reality?

According to Nicksick, the UFC had its sights set on a huge international fight between Jones and Ngannou during International Fight Week in July of 2021. After Ngannou’s stunning win over Stipe Miocic at UFC 260, Dana White was quick to start making plans. “When do you think he can be ready? Can you have him ready for July to fight Jon?” White asked Nicksick, walking back from the Apex, right after the fight.

The fight was practically locked in, with Nicksick giving his word that they’d be ready. Everything seemed to be going according to plan until real life got in the way. But what went wrong? Nicksick explained that ‘The Predator’ was in a unique situation and was expecting his first child.

And as much as the UFC wanted to put him in the biggest fight possible, family came first for the former heavyweight king. However, it was the perfect timeline for Ngannou, had UFC made slight adjustments. Now, you’ve got to wonder: What could have been if the French-Cameroonian wasn’t stepping into fatherhood? Would that July fight truly have happened, and how would the landscape of the biggest promotions heavyweight division look today? It’s a fascinating “what if” scenario.

Is the Francis Ngannou vs. Jon Jones fight officially dead?

While the UFC had its plans for the Jon Jones-Francis Ngannou clash, the fight isn’t just a domestic concern anymore as it has caught the attention of international powers. Over the years, the duo have traded barbs, building a rivalry that seemed destined for the Octagon. But when ‘The Predator’ left the UFC for ventures in other combat sports last year, hopes for the matchup began to fade. Yet, this didn’t stop Saudi Arabia from stepping in with a bold attempt to make the fight happen.

Turki Al-Sheikh, the Saudi sports mogul driving the country’s combat sports expansion, has big plans. Speaking on The Ariel & Ade show, he revealed his hopes for the bout in Saudi Arabia, saying, “We want to do the biggest things… We need to send Dana White to the moon.” But the UFC boss quickly poured cold water on the idea. Taking to Instagram, the head honcho squashed the rumors, declaring, “Not true. Jon vs Tom is next.” White’s firm stance was echoed by his consistent commitment to keeping Jones under UFC control and focused on the heavyweight division’s next big star.

On the flip side, PFL CEO Peter Murray, however, had a different take, claiming the ball was not in the UFC’s court. “The fighters want the fight, Jon Jones wants the fight, Francis wants the fight, we want the fight, and our partners in Saudi want the fight,” he said. For the community, it’s a frustrating stalemate, with both sides pointing fingers while one of the biggest potential fights in MMA history remains in limbo.

As things stand, Jon Jones is weighing his options between facing the interim champ Tom Aspinall or vacating his belt to pursue a super fight with Alex Pereira. Meanwhile, Ngannou is carving out a unique path in the PFL, balancing his dominance in MMA with high-profile boxing opportunities and plans to grow the sport in Africa.

The dream of Jones vs. Ngannou isn’t completely dead. With Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in combat sports, could the kingdom force a twist in this saga? Or has White’s steadfast control left no room for negotiations? What do you think? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!