Randy Couture recently offered his thoughts on whether Saudi Arabiaâs General Entertainment Authority head, Turki Alalshikh, possesses the influence to bring the highly anticipated super fight between Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones to life.
For years, the most monumental heavyweight bout the UFC could have delivered was a showdown between Ngannou and then-light-heavyweight champion Jones, who declared his intent to move up a weight class in 2020. However, a bitter contract dispute with UFC CEO Dana White led to âThe Predatorâ entirely parting ways with the organization. Ngannou later inked a multi-fight deal with the PFL, which included the freedom to explore his passion for boxing.
White has repeatedly asserted that it was Ngannou who blocked the eagerly awaited matchup, while the former heavyweight champion countered by saying that it was âBonesâ who was reluctant to fight him as he tried to negotiate a new contract to remain with the UFC. In the end, any negotiations that were in place fell through.
However, now with Saudi Arabia owning a modest share in the PFL, Alalshikh seemingly has the sway to potentially orchestrate this long-dreamed-of clash. Even White, who has traditionally opposed cross-promotion, was questioned about the possibility during the UFC 303 post-fight press conference in June, and surprisingly, he didnât dismiss the notion outright.
âThe Naturalâ thinks the UFC would never gamble with their reigning champion by jeopardizing a loss to someone like Ngannou, whose stock continues to soar. However, he believes the Ngannou vs. Jones clash could become a reality if authorities higher than White step in to make it happenâŚ
Couture Sees TKO CEO & Alalshikh As Key To Ngannou vs. Jones Fight
During a recent interview with MMAFightingonSBN, Couture shared his thoughts on the likelihood of a Ngannou vs. Jones showdown ever materializing. The former two-division champion expressed his doubt, stating that itâs highly improbable the UFC would ever agree to a cross-promotion bout.
âI donât see the champ in the UFC ever getting a shot at fighting the champ from PFL or any other organization for that matter, and thatâs unfortunate,â Couture said. âThatâs a shame that the fans are never going to get to see those types of matchups. Thatâs one of the flaws and issues in our sport right now.â
However, âThe Naturalâ added that a bout of such magnitude could only come to fruition with the involvement of UFCâs parent company, TKO Group Holdings, under the leadership of CEO Ari Emanuel, along with the influence of Alalshikh.
âAt the end of the day, I think Ari [Emanuel] is the one calling the shots. Heâs the one who bought the company from Zuffa. Itâs his business. He has shareholders and people he has to answer to, and he needs to do whatâs best for the bottom line for that company, which includes WWE and UFC and everything thatâs going on there.â
âCertainly, what the Saudis are holding and what theyâre doing with LIV Golf, and all the other things that theyâre doing to build culture and create opportunity for their citizens and their athletes in their country, that [fight] could very well happen because that kind of money can make a lot of things happen.â
UFC legend Randy Couture has explained why he doesnât believe the promotion will allow Francis Ngannou to take part in crossover fights.
As we know, Francis Ngannou is one of the baddest men on the planet. Following his run with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, he decided to venture into the world of professional boxing. In that time, he stood toe to toe with Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury in two scintillating fights.
Never gonna happen.
Yup RTIB
Im LOL
Show in SD 9/7 is already riddled with co main scrapped and injuries. Pretty much Done /
That fight would be huge. I would definitely look up who won in no more than 2 days after it happened
Imagine UFC let Ngannou fight Fury and he had that great performance then he immediately returned to UFC to fight Aspinall, who was fresh off sparking Pavlovich.
That could have been the Fedor/Cro Cop, Cain/JDS of this era.
I donât know if I would blame the UFC at this point in time. Jones doesnât seem interested in anything outside of Stipe. I donât think heâs scared of Aspinall, at all. But he knows there is always a chance of getting cracked.
Itâs a shame. If Jon had fought Ngannou and won - his legacy wouldnât be questioned. Outside of all the fuck ups outside the cage.
Wouldnât it be something if Stipe gets the win? 