Sorry Jon Jones, but PFL has world’s best heavyweight, not UFC

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – So far as Donn Davis is anxious, discuss concerning the world’s high heavyweight must be targeted on Saudi Arabia on Saturday, not New York in November.

Put less complicated, the promotion’s co-owner thinks the PFL may have the very best heavyweight in MMA after Saturday, not the UFC. And additional, Davis implied that disputing that declare would take a cross-promotion of some form with the UFC – an concept CEO Dana White basically by no means has been eager to.

At PFL: Battle of the Giants (DAZN/ESPN+) at The Mayadeen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou (17-3) takes on Renan Ferreira (13-3) in a PFL heavyweight superfight title bout. Ngannou has boxed twice since he left the UFC, however hasn’t fought an MMA bout since January 2021 earlier than he left the UFC for the PFL after a contract dispute.

At UFC 309, which takes place Nov. 16 at Madison Sq. Backyard, Jon Jones (27-1 MMA, 22-1 UFC) is a large favourite upwards of 7-1 in opposition to former champ Stipe Miocic (20-4 MMA, 14-4 UFC). Jones gained the UFC heavyweight title after Ngannou vacated it.

And naturally, relying on which aspect is requested, the opposite aspect is ducking – both Jones or Ngannou.

“Our focus is on this Saturday,” Davis mentioned after a Thursday information convention in Saudi Arabia for the pay-per-view. “That is the most important struggle in MMA in heavyweight this 12 months. Francis, when he left the UFC, he was the pound-for-pound No. 1 and the heavyweight champion. After which Ferreira is the most important rising star … That is the struggle all people needs to see. Whoever comes out of this struggle is the No. 1 on this planet. Whoever needs to assert the No. 1 spot goes by way of the winner of this struggle, not by way of the UFC – this struggle. Whoever needs to assert that place higher be calling us after Saturday, not calling them.”

Jones has advised his struggle with Miocic could be his swan music. Ngannou is in his late 30s, as properly. Absent cross-promotion, and fairly quickly, it looks as if a Jones-Ngannou struggle is a longshot at greatest.

However Davis implied it may occur if White wished it to.

“We’ve mentioned on the PFL we need to give the followers what they need, and that’s the very best fights on this planet,” Davis mentioned. “Francis Ngannou? He mentioned he’ll tackle all comers. I feel Jon Jones needs to cement his legacy. There’s just one impediment to that struggle, and we all know who that’s.”

After the UFC 309 heavyweight title struggle between Jones and Miocic, the UFC has interim champ Tom Aspinall ready within the wings, as properly.

For extra on the playing cards, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hubs for PFL: Battle of the Giants and UFC 309.