Turki Alalshikh drops hint about potential Francis Ngannou vs Jon Jones fight: "We need to send Dana White to the moon"
Saudi Arabian minister and the chairperson of the General Entertainment Authority Turki Alalshikh just dropped a massive hint regarding a crossover super-fight between Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou.
Alalshikh has been making waves in the combat sports world by organizing iconic boxing, pro wrestling, and MMA events. The Saudi Arabian Royal Court minister has been praised for booking fights that fans want to see.
In a recent phone interview with Ariel Helwani, Alalshikh hinted at a potential clash between UFC heavyweight champ Jones and PFL Super Fights heavyweight champion Ngannou - a fight fans have been salivating for years. Alalshikh said:
"I have on the table two options for Francis [Ngannou]. One in MMA and one in boxing I want to discuss with [him]".
When asked what those options are, Alalshikh said:
"The MMA, you know, all the time. My answer is, we want to do the biggest things... We need to send Dana White to the moon."
Helwani promptly asks if by "biggest things", Alalshikh meant Jon Jones. To this, the Saudi Arabian fight mogul jokingly made a beeping sound, leaving the answer up in the air.
Check out their conversation here:
Francis Ngannou's reminder for Jon Jones fight
As of recent Jon Jones news, the two-division UFC champ has been receiving a lot of heat for allegedly "ducking" a unification bout with interim champ Tom Aspinall. In recent interviews, 'Bones' implied that he needs to be paid substantially to face the young champion.
Answering all the accusations of him avoiding a fight with Aspinall, Jones took to X:
"Crazy how being called a ‘duck’ pays better than most of you Internet tough guys will make in a lifetime. Two fights in four years and still one of the biggest names in the sport? That’s not ducking, that’s winning. God’s blessings hit different, stay mad."
Replying to this tweet, Francis Ngannou redirected the conversation towards a different match-up, saying:
"Blessings make haters uncomfortable, but they can't change it. There's only one fight, the right fight that will multiply your blessings. #NgannouVSJones"
The UFC has been reluctant to cross-promote with other organizations. With Ngannou under contract with the PFL, this fight will be tough to schedule. With Turki Alalshikh's involvement, perhaps we might see that change soon.