Almost everybody in the UFC world wants to see heavyweight champ Jon Jones fight interim champ Tom Aspinall next. But before this, for the past couple of years, until Francis Ngannou left the promotion, the biggest potential bout in the sport was between Jones and Ngannou. Of course, ‘The Predator’ leaving the UFC on acrimonious terms last has closed the door on this, but the specter of Jones-Ngannou remains and resurfaces from time to time.

Whether it be reports that the UFC may co-promote with the PFL to make the fight happen, or Jones being seen studying tape on the Cameroonian as he would be preparing for an opponent. Well, the prospects of Jones-Ngannou just got a new lease of life after Francis Ngannou’s recent tweet, where he also seemingly defended Jones against the ‘ducking’ allegations.

“Blessings make haters uncomfortable, but they can’t change it. There’s only one fight, the right fight that will multiply your blessings. #NgannouVSJones,” Ngannou wrote in response to a tweet talking about Jones ducking Aspinall.

Of course, most think that Jones has been so reluctant to fight Aspinall because he might lose. After all, the Englishman has the physicality, game, and self-belief to be able to beat Jones and mar his essentially undefeated record. But Ngannou doesn’t believe these speculations.

Instead, he thinks it’s just a narrative spun by the UFC, like the one they spun, after he left, about Ngannou being scared to fight Jones. Of course, it is understandable why Ngannou thinks given his personal experience, but perhaps he is forgetting one thing. The UFC, especially Dana White is so enamored and so in Jones’ (figurative) corner that fans are accusing the UFC CEO of ‘glazing’ Jones. However, whether Ngannou is right or the fans are regarding the potential Jones-Aspinall clash will be clear one way or the other soon.

Jon Jones negotiating to fight Aspinall as Ngannou fight seems almost impossible

Jon Jones has confirmed that he is in talks with the UFC for a Tom Aspinall fight. The ‘undisputed’ champ, of course, has said he wants “f**k you money” to face the interim champ. Again, this may be because Jones is concerned about taking an ‘L’ from Aspinall, and wants to make sure the risk is worth the reward.

Not to mention if Jones indeed retires without fighting Aspinall (which ‘Bones’ has threatened to do if he doesn’t get his way), it will further hamper the already broken lineal succession of the title. Of course, a new twist in the tale may come after UFC 310 next month. There, #2 ranked Ciryl Gane will face #3 Alexander Volkov and the winner may see themselves next in line for a title shot.

After which, there will be one more name, one more contender for the heavyweight title. And this will be regardless Jones and Aspinall fight or not. In the end, despite Ngannou’s wish to face Jones, that is almost definitely never going to happen. After all, Jones signed an eight-fight deal with the UFC last year.

Even if he retires from the UFC, he will need Dana White’s permission to fight Ngannou. Which, given how things ended between the UFC CEO and Ngannou, would never be granted. What do you think about Francis Ngannou’s aforementioned tweet about Jon Jones?