Francis Ngannou is ready for a return to MMA action after a two-year layoff
It’s been a long break from the sport. He hasn’t fought since his win over Renan Ferreira in October 2024, a bout that crowned him PFL Super Fight heavyweight champion — and his only appearance for the promotion.
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The good news for fans is that ‘The Predator’ is scheduled to fight this Saturday again, facing Philipe Lins on the MVP Netflix MMA card.
Adding to the interest around this fight, Jon Jones will be cageside as Ngannou steps back into the cage for his first MMA bout in four years.
Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images
Ngannou tells Jon Jones to come to him for business advice
This week, it was confirmed that ‘Bones’ will be serving as a guest analyst for the event, adding another layer of intrigue to an already interesting night.
Jones has had a strained relationship with the UFC for some time now, and earlier this year, he even requested his release after being left out of the UFC’s White House event.
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At that point, Ngannou spoke up in support of Jones, backing his push for better pay in his return. But more recently, their dynamic seems to have shifted. Speaking at Thursday’s MVP MMA press conference, Ngannou took a shot at Jones.
“I think he’s coming for both (business and pleasure),” Ngannou said when reacting to the news that Jones will be working the event.
“Jon Jones should be learning some tricks by now to understand how business works. If I see him around, I’ll give him some advice for business.
“You know, it sucks that the fight never happened (between me and him) I wanted it, but at the same time, we have to move forward, I think if the condition was right and that we could fight each other, it would be the most exciting fight of my career.
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“I think that’s the only thing that could hold me around for a long time, hoping, maybe after my 50s, still hoping that the fight could have happened some day. But I never had an opportunity, I never turned that fight down so I don’t have any regrets,” Ngannou continued.
Jones, who still holds two belts despite not fighting since 2023 due to injuries and UFC disputes, hasn’t shown much interest in vacating them yet.
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