Ngannou Explains Why He Understood Jones’ Decision
In a November 2024 interview, Francis Ngannou explained why he understood Jon Jones’ reluctance to fight interim champion Tom Aspinall. Jones later fought Stipe Miocic and retired before facing Aspinall. Ngannou left the PFL and returned to MMA with a knockout win.
What Ngannou Said About Jones and Aspinall
In a November 2024 interview with TMZ Sports, Ngannou said Jones was entitled to consider the financial and contractual terms, and agreed with Jones’ view that Aspinall needed the fight more to establish himself. Ngannou also cautioned that outside observers could not know every detail of negotiations. The comments were his perspective, not confirmation of the UFC’s private discussions. MMA Fighting reported the interview.
Jones Fought Miocic, Then Retired
Jones did fight at UFC 309 on November 16, 2024, stopping Stipe Miocic by third-round TKO. He did not meet Aspinall. In June 2025, Jones announced his retirement and the UFC elevated Aspinall from interim to undisputed heavyweight champion. As of October 14, 2026, Jones has not returned to competition and no Jones-Aspinall fight has been booked. The UFC 309 scorecard and UFC’s retirement announcement document the changes.
Ngannou’s PFL Exit and MMA Return
Ngannou’s own career also moved on. After knocking out Renan Ferreira in the first round in his sole PFL bout in October 2024, he and the promotion parted ways in March 2026. He returned to MMA on May 16, 2026, on the Most Valuable Promotions card streamed by Netflix, knocking out Philipe Lins in the first round. That was his first MMA fight since the Ferreira bout. See the PFL Ferreira result, the March 2026 PFL split report, and Netflix’s report on the Lins fight.
Ngannou’s 2024 comments defended a fighter’s right to weigh the business terms of a bout. In the end, Jones chose retirement, while Ngannou remained active and found another MMA event after leaving the PFL. Their long-discussed matchup with each other has not happened.
