Heavyweights go to war on Twitter

Jon Jones has responded to Ngannou’s new deal with the PFL.
Photo: SUPPLIED

UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has weighed in on former champ Francis Ngannou signing with the Professional Fighters League.

Both men are claiming the moniker of “Baddest man on The Planet” and have engaged in a war of words on Twitter.

Ngannou 36, has been a free agent since leaving the UFC in January after the two parties failed to agree on a new contract.

Ngannou cited a “lack of freedom” as the reason for his departure, saying his requests for health insurance and tailored sponsorship deals for fighters had been rejected.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ngannou announced his new deal and clarified his reasons for leaving the world’s leading MMA promotion.

“A great deal takes time. This decision with PFL wasn’t done overnight. Believe me. It was a thoughtful process to get here to find the right fit, the right promotion with the values that match matches with mine.”

He said that for himself, his family and for Africa, the PFL was the right call.

“At the beginning of my free agency I didn’t know that I could have had a deal structure in this way. I was even able to have a guarantee of $2 million for my opening fight, and whomever I’m going to fight next is going to make money too.”

Ngannou also intends to advocate for fighters as the first active athlete to sit on the fighter’s board and expand the sport in his home continent.

“We have a massive plan to develop the sport in Africa. With this partnership we are launching a PFL Africa which is going to be a whole promotion based in Africa to help develop fighters in Africa.”

Ngannou hopes to take MMA throughout Africa.
Photo: Chen bo – Imaginechina

He said the initiative will bring infrastructure, coaches and other resources to Africa to give fighters the same opportunity as those in more developed nations.

“They have talent. The problem now is the resources and that’s something that PFL really cares about it and we are going to do that to together.”

The deal will also allow Ngannou the freedom to box, something which was his dream when he was homeless on the streets of France.

“I can box in separately whenever I want, if ever I want and they are going to support me.”

He ended his video by emphatically declaring who he believes is the greatest heavyweight on earth.

“No matter what other promoters say, no matter what. some fighters say, no matter what media say, who do you think is the baddest mother f***** on the planet? Me!”

The reigning UFC heavyweight champ took umbrage at the claim.

“Calling yourself the baddest man on the planet from across the street, who does that? Lol,” Jones wrote on Twitter.

Ngannou didn’t hesitate to respond, “Then cross the street.”

Jones fired back again.

“Wasn’t calling himself the baddest when he was still a free agent. He signed safely behind a new organization, and now suddenly the baddest thing walking. Like we all haven’t seen him quitting inside that cage before.”

Jones won the vacant UFC heavyweight title in his divisional debut against Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 on March 4.

The win took his record to 27-1-1 and propelled him to the number one pound for pound fighter in the UFC rankings.

Born in Cameroon and now fighting out of Las Vegas, Ngannou owns a 17-3-0 career record.

He beat Stipe Miocic in March 2021 to claim the UFC heavyweight championship, then successfully defended his title against Gane in January 2022.