Coach ‘very optimistic’ about potential Francis Ngannou vs. Jon Jones

Xtreme Couture head coach Eric Nicksick isn’t giving up hope on the potential of a large Francis Ngannou vs. Jon Jones bout.

Ngannou is a few months away from returning to the MMA cage in his PFL debut on Oct. 19 towards 2023 champion Renan Ferreira. The previous UFC heavyweight champion by no means misplaced his title, which is at present held by Jones.

For Nicksick, that dream matchup between two prime MMA heavyweights who’re now not underneath the identical promotional banner stays on the prime of his want record.

“It must be,” Nicksick advised MMA Junkie. “How will you be on this place and never wish to attempt to battle the very best to ever do it, proper? And once more, I’ve mentioned this time and time once more, I believe Jon is the very best to ever do it, and for those who’re a competitor, how do you not wish to attempt to compete towards arguably the very best to ever do it?

“That’s, sure – you wish to gameplan, you wish to compete, you wish to attempt to put your finest camp ahead and your finest fighter, and that’s clearly Francis. Yeah, that’s undoubtedly one thing I’d nonetheless like to have that chance to have the ability to do.”

The trail to a Ngannou vs. Jones battle was as soon as very attainable. They had been each within the UFC previous to Ngannou’s exit after a unanimous determination victory over Ciryl Gane at UFC 270. Nonetheless, Jones admitted wanted three years to prepare to maneuver from gentle heavyweight to heavyweight. Sadly, their timelines by no means aligned, and Ngannou signed with the PFL, who supplied him the liberty to compete in boxing.

Jones at present holds the UFC heavyweight title and is lined as much as face former champ Stipe Miocic later this yr. The matchup has not sat properly with many, contemplating Miocic’s inactivity and Tom Aspinall holding and defending the interim heavyweight title.

Past each successful their upcoming fights, Ngannou vs. Jones would require a concession from the UFC, because the promotion has not been open to cross-promotional fights up to now. PFL execs have mentioned they’d welcome the chance to see the battle, inserting the ball within the UFC’s courtroom.

Nicksick is a “by no means say by no means” kind of man and would love for issues to shake up behind the scenes to create one of many greatest matchups in MMA historical past earlier than their careers are over.

“I’m very optimistic relating to these items and I believe cash talks, you recognize, and also you get the best folks behind you,” Nicksick mentioned. “Clearly now we have a superb relationship with Saudi, and I do know Dana and UFC are working properly with Saudi, so cash talks. No disrespect to Dana, however he has a boss as properly. So, someone tells, ‘Hey man, that is some huge cash. We’re taking this. Set your ego apart.’

“I believe Dana is ready the place he needs to make the very best fights, and he’s not going to let his ego or any previous historical past reap the benefits of that. If he feels that Jon Jones is the very best to ever do it, then completely, put your finest man ahead and provides us the chance to see if we are able to dethrone that man.”