"Money talks" - Francis Ngannou's coach shares update on possibility of Jon Jones clash after Dana White's surprise meeting with Turki Alalshikh

With the UFC now working with Turki Alalshikh and Saudi Arabia, the seemingly impossible fantasy fight between Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou has been given a glimmer of hope. That optimism was touched on by Ngannou's head coach, Eric Nicksick, who says he believes the fight is now "possible."

Nicksick spoke on the potential fight in an interview with TalkSPORT, telling a reporter of the British-based news company that he would not be surprised to see the UFC and PFL co-promote. While the situation would not happen under any normal circumstance, Nicksick noted that Alalshikh's insistence and ability to provide a monetary incentive makes it a possibility.

Nicksick said (via Home of Fight):

"I think everything is possible with Saudi Arabia involved. It's money and money talks. If it's something that's going to happen, I think it will happen with Saudi Arabia and Turki Alalshikh... Nothing surprises me anymore."

Ngannou has not fought in MMA since leaving the UFC in 2022. 'The Predator' left as the active heavyweight champion with his last title defense being a decision win over Ciryl Gane at UFC 270.

While under contract with the UFC Ngannou pushed for a fight with Jones for several years but the fight did not materialize, frustrating fans once the Cameroonian left for the PFL.

Watch the full video from talkSPORT MMA on YouTube below:

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When is Francis Ngannou's next fight?

Though he is currently under contract with the PFL, Francis Ngannou has not competed in the cage in over two years after twice fighting in boxing against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.

Following the loss to Joshua which had been his first career knockout loss, Ngannou was unclear on his future, expressing a desire to return to MMA but still believing he had more to prove in the ring. However, tragedy struck the Ngannou family on April 27 when the 37-year-old's infant son died unexpectedly.

Three months after his son's passing Nicksick confirmed that the fighter had returned to training but no word has been made on when or how the heavyweight plans to resume his career.