MMA fans around the world have been asking what will be next for Francis Ngannou after winning the UFC heavyweight championship in March. It seemed likely that the new champion would take on either Derrick Lewis or Jon Jones. This week, Dana White confirmed that Ngannou vs. Lewis 2 is taking place next.
The first time these two men fought, they produced one of the most lackluster bouts in UFC history. Many feel the rematch will be different. Today, we’ll discuss when and where this heavyweight title bout could take place.
Let’s get into it!
Jon Jones Continues to Prepare for a Move to Heavyweight
There has been no fighter in UFC history as successful as Jon Jones. The 33-year-old won the light-heavyweight championship back in 2011. Over the past decade, he’s gone undefeated and recorded wins over some of the best fighters in history.
Jon’s past two bouts have been much closer than he would have liked. He went to a split decision over Thiago Santos back in July of 2019. In February of 2020, Jon took home a controversial unanimous decision win over Dominick Reyes.
That win seemed to change how some felt about Jones. Calls for him to move up in weight began to intensify. After the heavyweight trilogy fight between Daniel Cormier and Stipe Miocic, Jones finally decided it was time to make the move into the heavyweight division.
Jan Blachowicz went on to capture the UFC’s light-heavyweight title. Jon has been in negotiations with the UFC over a blockbuster fight against Francis Ngannou, who won the UFC title this past March. Jones believes he deserves a massive payday in order to challenge the new heavyweight champion.
Obviously, fans have been looking forward to seeing Jon Jones take on Francis Ngannou in the Octagon. Many believe this would end up being one of the biggest fights in history. Getting a fight like this one signed was never going to be easy, though.
It appears the UFC has other plans on the table. Here’s what we know about the next likely fight for Francis Ngannou.
The UFC is Now Leaning Toward Ngannou vs. Lewis 2
Francis Ngannou has been must-see television since he first debuted with the UFC. Back in 2018, he lost in his first title fight against Francis Ngannou. He also fell short in his next fight against Derrick Lewis.
Since that time, the Cameroonian native has been nothing short of perfect. He’s 5-0 in the promotion with five knockouts. His most recent title-winning performance against Stipe Miocic was one the best in UFC history.
The UFC has been in active negotiations with Jon Jones for months. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear that he will be next for the new champ. Instead, UFC President Dana White claims that the UFC has moved on and is instead looking to book Ngannou vs. Lewis 2.
“We tried to work with Jon, and we eventually have to move on because realistically, and in all honesty, Derrick Lewis is the guy who deserves the fight,” White said. “Derrick Lewis is a heavyweight, he beat Francis Ngannou, he’s looked good in his last couple of fights, he’s ranked in the top three, I think, and he deserves the fight. That’s the fight that should happen. We’ll just roll and do what we do. When Jon’s ready, he’ll let us know… In his deal, he’s talking he wants $30 million guaranteed. The way that this works is, these guys all share in the pay-per-view. … He will share in the profits of the fight. That’s how it works. That’s how you run a business, and you don’t go broke.”
It’s disappointing to hear that the fight with Jones and Ngannou isn’t coming together. Derrick Lewis is certainly an excellent replacement fight. He’s one of the scariest knockout artists in the sport and already holds a victory over Ngannou.
Interestingly, odds on this bout are already becoming available online! Now is a great time to look at where these men stand in the eyes of the oddsmakers.
Breaking Down the New Odds on Ngannou vs. Lewis 2
The UFC’s heavyweight division is better now than ever before. Francis Ngannou seems like he has the skills to be a champion for years to come. There are some hungry young contenders in the division looking to capture a belt, though.
Derrick Lewis has a real shot at becoming the next heavyweight champion against Francis Ngannou. He managed to earn a decision victory in that fight. Not everyone feels the same result will play out in the rematch.
Fans can head over to BetOnline today to find some great odds on Ngannou vs. Lewis 2. This site launched years ago and has grown to become one of the most popular internet sportsbooks in the US. The odds on the upcoming title fight are fantastic.
It’s not a shock to see Francis Ngannou come into this fight as the -360 favorite. He is one of the best knockout artists on the planet and seems to be improving with every fight. Many feel he will end up earning another knockout over Lewis in this bout.
Derrick Lewis is coming off one of the best knockouts of the year over Curtis Blaydes. He also has the confidence knowing that he held his own against Ngannou in their fight back in 2018. Still, he comes into this fight as the +285 underdog.
Are you excited to hear about Ngannou vs. Lewis 2? Who do you think will win this fight? Let us know in the comments section below!
Kevin Oldroyd
A longtime sports and gambling enthusiast, Kevin looks to present up-to-date and reliable information for readers. If he’s not writing, he’s probably watching MMA or playing blackjack. …
