Francis Ngannou remained calm and composed during Thursday’s MVP MMA press conference in Los Angeles, but the former UFC heavyweight champion still delivered several major talking points ahead of his long-awaited MMA return against Felipe Lins this Saturday on Netflix.
Ngannou, who headlines one of the three main events on MVP MMA’s debut card, spent much of the afternoon discussing his legacy, the long-rumored superfight with Jon Jones, and what it means to compete on the first live MMA event in Netflix history.
See our predictions for this fight and the rest of MVP Rousey vs Carano here.
Ngannou reacts to Jon Jones joining the broadcast
One of the biggest surprises ahead of the event came when it was announced that Jones will be part of the Netflix broadcast team on Saturday night.
Ngannou was immediately asked for his reaction during the press conference and teased that Jones may have multiple reasons for showing up.
“I think he’s coming for both,” Ngannou said when asked if Jones was attending for business or pleasure. “Jon Jones should be learning some tricks by now to understand how business works.”
Ngannou then laughed and added that he would be willing to give Jones advice personally if the two crossed paths backstage.
The interaction immediately reignited fan discussion surrounding the heavyweight superfight that never happened during their UFC runs.
“I never turned that fight down”
Later in the press conference, Ngannou became more serious while discussing the missed opportunity to fight Jones.
The former heavyweight champion admitted the situation still bothers him years later.
“It sucks that that fight never happened,” Ngannou said. “I always wanted it.”
Ngannou also pushed back against the narrative that he avoided the matchup before leaving the UFC.
“I never had any decision over it,” he explained. “I never had an opportunity. I never turned that fight down. Never.”
Watch the full press conference
Ngannou says boxing experience improved him
When asked whether his recent venture into professional boxing made him a better MMA fighter, The Cameroonian heavyweight explained that boxing sharpened certain parts of his striking game. However, he warned that MMA remains a completely different challenge.
“Focusing on boxing for a little while could have helped,” Ngannou said. “But boxing striking is different than MMA striking.”
He pointed out that pure boxing habits can become dangerous in MMA because of the constant threat of takedowns and kicks.
“If you go over boxing and feel like, ‘Oh, I’m so good,’ and come here, first thing you know, you get your ass taken down really quick.”
Felipe Lins embraces underdog role
While much of the attention remained on Ngannou throughout the press conference, Lins made it clear he has no issue being overlooked in MMA odds heading into the fight.
“99% of the people think Francis is going to win this fight,” Lins admitted. “But I’m training hard. It’s the best opportunity of my MMA career.”
Lins said he plans to shock the MMA world Saturday night and insisted he fully deserves the opportunity to face one of the biggest stars in combat sports.