The fight against Francis Ngannow allowed John Jones to net the biggest payday of his career.
While Dana White continues to negotiate the much-anticipated title unification clash between heavyweight champion John Jones and interim title holder Tom Aspinel, PFL founder Don Davis is desperately trying to book the battle between Jones and Ngannow.
According to Chael Sonnen, the UFC’s three-time title challenger, Davis sent out “Bones” and offered a $50 million payday for the fight against Ngannou, earning the biggest payday of his career and the biggest payday of a mixed fighter in the history of the sport.
“Don Davis, head of the PFL, sent a message directly to Jon Jones on Twitter, claiming that Jon knew how to make $50 million in the fight against Francis Ngannou,” Sonnen told her YouTube channel. “It’s going to be the highest salary battle ever. $50 million is a number nobody wants in combat sports. If Don Davis says he’s going to get $50 million, he’s going to get $50 million.
“This hypothetical match must be assumed to be something we want to see more than any other fight. But here’s a question? Monumental – a huge salary that could be the biggest fight in MMA history.”
Dana White is unlikely to sign off to the John Jones vs Francis Nganoo battle
Unfortunately, it doesn’t matter whether PFL is offering Jones $50 million, $100 million or $1 billion. The fact remains that “Bone” is signed with the UFC, and Dana White has proven multiple times that he doesn’t play well with others.
White’s chances of agreeing to a cross-promotional conflict are because in fact, only Davis and PFL have something to gain from it. Certainly, White will reduce his income, but why share profits with Jones vs. ngannou when fans can win the fight they are screaming for: Jones vs. Aspinoll
White isn’t a business that gives a boost to its competitors, and there’s no amount to change it.