\u2014 Jed I. Goodman \u00a9 (@jedigoodman) August 18, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n “I’m expecting the PFL [to give me fights] and I’m hoping the PFL will make that happen,” Ngannou told Ariel Helwani Monday. “Yes, I want [to] fight. I want more [fights].”<\/p>\n Regarding a return to UFC, Ngannou revealed he is still under contract with the PFL and wants to honor the deal alongside boxing.<\/p>\n Regardless, though, Ngannou isn’t living under a rock, as he has paid close attention to the heavyweight landscape. With a possible fight between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall looming, Ngannou gave his pick and broke down how he sees a hypothetical fight unfolding.<\/p>\n Jul 16, 2025; Hollywood, CA, USA; Jon Jones poses on the ESPYs red carpet at the Dolby Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images \/ Kirby Lee-Imagn Images<\/p>\n “Tom is young, he’s very explosive,” Ngannou said. “He’s young, hungry, but you know what they said: They said young monkey is fast, but old monkey knows the way. I think we can all agree that Jon knows the way for the victory.”<\/p>\n Ngannou says Jones’ brief retirement was all for show and was done to frustrate the UFC in negotiations.<\/p>\n “If he decides tomorrow he’s fighting, then that retirement is void. It means nothing,” Ngannou said. “Nobody would stop him if he keeps training. That doesn’t change anything. It might be his strategy, or he might just had enough, which is understandable.”<\/p>\n Nonetheless, though, Ngannou continues to sit back and wait to see what’s next.<\/p>\n READ MORE: UFC CEO Dana White shares long-shot update regarding Jon Jones White House plans<\/a><\/p>\n Jan 22, 2022; Anaheim, California, USA; Francis Ngannou celebrates the win against Ciryl Gane during UFC 270 at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images \/ Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images<\/p>\n “For sure, the UFC don’t want any co-promotion stuff. I think even Turki [Alalshikh] tried to make that fight happen.”<\/p>\n As for right now, Aspinall has other business to attend to as he tries to defend his undisputed UFC Heavyweight Championship against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321. Gane is 0-2 in undisputed title fight opportunities against Jones and Ngannou at UFC 285 and UFC 270, respectively.<\/p>\n The fight takes place Oct. 25 in Abu Dhabi, marking Aspinall’s first fight in over a year after he had waited for Jones to decide the next move for his MMA career. The two were linked to a possible fight targeted for November at Madison Square Garden.<\/p>\n For now, though, only time will tell what happens next.<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Khamzat Chimaev manhandles Dricus du Plessis to claim middleweight belt at UFC 319<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0UFC 319 fighter wins debut fight days after earning UFC contract from Dana White<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Joe Rogan breaks silence on UFC\u2019s future after major change<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Conor McGregor\u2019s next UFC fight in jeopardy after latest report<\/a><\/p>\n Stick with\u00a0MMAKnockout<\/a>\u00a0for more FREE coverage of the UFC and MMA.<\/p>\n Follow MMAKnockout on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0Twitter<\/a>, and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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