Jon Jones Poised for a $500M Showdown with “Athletic Freak” Ngannou—The Fight That Could Shake the Combat Sports World!!!

March 31, 2025 – Las Vegas, NV – The combat sports world is on the brink of witnessing a seismic event as UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones and PFL superstar Francis Ngannou are reportedly in talks for a historic $500 million showdown that could redefine the sport. Described by former UFC fighter Dan Hardy as an “athletic freak” capable of “punching holes in people,” Ngannou poses a colossal challenge for Jones, who has long been hailed as the greatest MMA fighter of all time. If this fight comes to fruition, it could be the most lucrative and explosive matchup in combat sports history.

A Dream Fight Years in the Making

The Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou saga has been a dream for MMA fans since Ngannou’s reign as UFC heavyweight champion from 2021 to 2022. At the time, Jones was transitioning from light heavyweight to heavyweight, a move that culminated in him capturing the vacant UFC heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane in March 2023. However, Ngannou’s departure from the UFC in January 2023, after contentious contract disputes over fighter pay and freedom, dashed hopes of the superfight. Ngannou signed with the PFL, where he won the inaugural PFL Super Fights Heavyweight Championship with a knockout of Renan Ferreira in October 2024, while also pursuing lucrative boxing matches against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.

Despite the promotional divide, the clamor for Jones vs. Ngannou has never faded. In recent weeks, the narrative has taken a dramatic turn. On March 26, 2025, PFL founder Donn Davis made headlines by offering Jones a $50 million purse to fight Ngannou, a figure that sparked skepticism among fans due to Jones’ UFC contract and UFC President Dana White’s reluctance to cross-promote. However, new reports suggest that Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, led by Turki Alalshikh, has stepped in with an unprecedented $500 million deal to make the fight happen, potentially under a co-promotional banner involving the UFC, PFL, and Saudi funding.

Dan Hardy’s Take: Ngannou, the “Athletic Freak”

Former UFC fighter Dan Hardy recently weighed in on the matchup, describing Ngannou as an “athletic freak” whose raw power could overwhelm Jones. In an exclusive interview on March 28, 2025, Hardy stated, “Ngannou’s ability to legitimately punch holes in people would prove too much for ‘Bones’.” Hardy’s comments echo the sentiment of many who have seen Ngannou’s devastating knockouts, including his 2021 destruction of Stipe Miocic to win the UFC heavyweight title and his boxing performance against Fury, where he dropped the heavyweight champion despite a controversial decision loss.

Jones, however, is no stranger to defying the odds. With a record of 28-1 (22-1 in the UFC), his only loss being a 2009 disqualification to Matt Hamill for illegal elbows, Jones has dominated generations of fighters across two weight classes. His recent third-round knockout of Miocic at UFC 309 in November 2024 further solidified his heavyweight credentials. Yet, Ngannou’s freakish athleticism—combining 83-inch reach, explosive power, and improved technical striking—presents a unique challenge that Jones has never faced.

The $500M Stakes: A Game-Changer for Combat Sports

The rumored $500 million purse for Jones vs. Ngannou would shatter all previous records for combat sports payouts. For context, the Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor boxing match in 2017 generated a combined purse of around $400 million, with Mayweather earning $275 million and McGregor pocketing $130 million. The involvement of Turki Alalshikh, who has orchestrated massive boxing events like Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk, lends credibility to the astronomical figure. Alalshikh has previously expressed interest in making the fight happen, stating in a December 2024 interview with Ariel Helwani, “We need to send Dana White to the moon” to bypass UFC’s resistance to cross-promotion.

Ngannou himself has acknowledged the challenges, particularly White’s role as a “massive obstacle.” In a February 2025 interview with Sportsbook Review, Ngannou said, “If you can get past Dana White, it could happen, but that’s a massive obstacle.” However, the Saudi-backed deal could change the equation, with Alalshikh’s financial clout potentially forcing the UFC to the table. Posts on X reflect growing excitement, with one user noting, “$500M for Jones vs. Ngannou? That’s the kind of money that makes Dana say yes.”

The Combat Sports World Reacts

The prospect of this fight has ignited fierce debate among fans and fighters. Chael Sonnen, a former UFC title challenger, recently challenged Stipe Miocic’s opinion that Jones would beat Ngannou, suggesting on March 18, 2025, that Miocic’s view might be “clouded” by his own loss to Jones. Meanwhile, Tom Aspinall, the interim UFC heavyweight champion, has accused Jones of “ducking” both him and Ngannou, stating on March 26, 2025, to MMA Junkie, “Jon is conning the public… the fact that he didn’t want to fight Ngannou for three years, and now he doesn’t want to fight me, is super smart manipulation.”

Ngannou, for his part, has expressed a mix of resignation and hope. In December 2024, he told MMA Fighting he was “over” the Jones talk, but by February 2025, he admitted to Sportsbook Review that the fight “could potentially happen” with the right backing. Jones, meanwhile, has remained coy, focusing on a potential title unification bout with Aspinall while teasing other matchups, like a superfight with light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.

What’s at Stake?

For Jon Jones, a win over Ngannou would cement his legacy as the undisputed greatest MMA fighter ever, silencing critics who argue he’s avoided the division’s most dangerous heavyweights. For Ngannou, a victory would not only avenge his frustrations with the UFC but also prove he’s the true “Baddest Man on the Planet,” a title he’s chased since leaving the promotion. The $500 million purse would also make both fighters among the highest-paid athletes in history, surpassing even the earnings of boxing legends like Mayweather.

The fight’s impact on combat sports could be transformative. A successful cross-promotion between the UFC and PFL, backed by Saudi funding, might pave the way for more superfights, breaking down the barriers that have long separated promotions. However, logistical hurdles remain—Jones is still under UFC contract with multiple fights left, and White’s history of opposing co-promotions is well-documented. Ngannou’s focus on boxing, with potential bouts against Deontay Wilder or a Fury rematch, could also complicate negotiations.

A Fight That Could Redefine the Sport

As the combat sports world holds its breath, the possibility of Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou for $500 million looms as a once-in-a-lifetime event. Will Jones’ technical mastery and experience overcome Ngannou’s raw power and athleticism? Can Alalshikh and the PFL overcome Dana White’s resistance to make this dream a reality? One thing is certain: if this fight happens, it will shake the combat sports world to its core, delivering a spectacle that fans will talk about for generations.