Francis Ngannou chooses opponent for career end: And then I can retire

Francis Ngannou, the formidable former UFC heavyweight champion, is gearing up for his return to the MMA octagon, with his sights set on a significant clash before potentially hanging up his gloves. Ngannou is scheduled to fight on May 16th under the MVP promotion against Filipe Lins, a former PFL champion, marking his return to mixed martial arts after a foray into boxing.

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I'm not disappointed that the fight with Jones never happened. Disappointment? That match was never really on the table, so I have nothing to regret.

Fans have long clamored for a showdown between Ngannou and the dominant Jon Jones. However, Ngannou recently shared his perspective, suggesting that the much-anticipated fight was never truly on the table. He posited that the UFC may have dangled the prospect of a Jones fight as a strategic maneuver to coerce him into signing a new contract, a tactic he ultimately resisted, leading to his departure from the organization.

Since parting ways with the UFC in early 2023, Ngannou has remained active, exploring opportunities beyond his primary discipline. He engaged in high-profile boxing matches against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, earning substantial figures despite losing both bouts. He also secured a victory in his sole MMA appearance post-UFC, defeating Renan Ferreira to claim the PFL Super Fights heavyweight title in October 2024.

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Maybe it could have happened when they used it as bait. It was just a trick to try and get me to sign a new contract.

Despite his diverse experiences, the dream of facing Jon Jones persists. Ngannou reiterated his wish for this bout, framing it as the ideal capstone to his illustrious career. "I want a fight against Jones before I retire," he stated, emphasizing that while it wouldn't define his legacy, it would be the perfect concluding chapter. This sentiment resonates with fans who believe this matchup represents an unfinished narrative in the MMA landscape.

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I want a fight against Jones before I retire. I'm not saying that fight would define my career, but if I had to choose one match to end it, it would be a duel with him. Let's do it and then I can retire.