UFC 285 is now 50 days away. Still no word from Francis.

[PlasticFishBowl]

With Leon saying he’s been told his rematch with Usman is headlining 286, that means that Francis vs. Jones is being targeted for 285 (the other March PPV).

Its 50 days away. Francis isn’t even in the United States. He isn’t training. He’s visiting friends and family in Cameroon. So unless he is willing to do a 5 or 6 week training camp for this fight, that probably means negotiations have stalled and it isn’t happening.

Francis is gone boys. So for goodness sake book a title fight and move this dead ass division on.

 

[Substance Abuse]

His coach just said a March fight with Jones is '50/50', which really means 20/80.

 

[PhotographyRaptor]

So Nate Conor 3

 

[PlasticFishBowl]

His coach just said a March fight with Jones is '50/50', which really means 20/80.

20/80 still seems generous. In what world does a guy who has been out a year with a major injury come back on short notice for a super fight to defend his belt though?

I could see maybe him having fought in late March. March 4th isn’t realistic. That’s only 7 weeks to train, and one of those would be fight week itself when you don’t train.

 

[Tweak896]

The March return date came from Ngannou's camp themselves. Not sure why they would change or delay it unless something went wrong.

 

[Crazy Librarian]

"He don't wanna fight"

 

[Substance Abuse]

20/80 still seems generous. In what world does a guy who has been out a year with a major injury come back on short notice for a super fight to defend his belt though?

I could see maybe him having fought in late March. March 4th isn’t realistic. That’s only 7 weeks to train, and one of those would be fight week itself when you don’t train.

He doesn't. My point was the coach is always ridiculously optimistic and puts a spin on things. It isn't happening. We all knew this before this thread and before Nicksick gave his interview, lol.

 

[PhotographyRaptor]

F Francis. Either fight or relinquish.

 

[Greta Thunberg]

Isn't Jon under super secret suspension still?

Oh, that's right, Jon "willingly gave up his title" and hasn't fought in three years because
he definitely didn't get suspended.

Never ceases to amaze what lengths Jon's fans will go to just to gas light themselves
into actually believing "It's still real to me damn it!"

 

[UWPguy]

Isn't Jon under super secret suspension still?

Oh, that's right, Jon "willingly gave up his title" and hasn't fought in three years because
he definitely didn't get suspended.

Never ceases to amaze what lengths Jon's fans will go to just to gas light themselves
into actually believing "It's still real to me damn it!"

I believe it's quadruple super secret suspension. Please get it right next time.

While I agree with the premise he's suspended, I'm shocked that nobody has uncovered that news. Dana must have plenty of sway yet with the NSAC and even the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

 

[CashMoney1991]

I think Francis's contract expires one year after he defended, I could be wrong, but isn't that how a champ's contract works ? if so, just fucking strip him after Jan. 22, time to move on, tired of these champs holding belts without fighting

 

[MrLuke]

With Leon saying he’s been told his rematch with Usman is headlining 286, that means that Francis vs. Jones is being targeted for 285 (the other March PPV).

Its 50 days away. Francis isn’t even in the United States. He isn’t training. He’s visiting friends and family in Cameroon. So unless he is willing to do a 5 or 6 week training camp for this fight, that probably means negotiations have stalled and it isn’t happening.

Francis is gone boys. So for goodness sake book a title fight and move this dead ass division on.

This card was never targetted with Francis vs Jones... But It was specifically put there and made for Colby vs Chimaev meaning this was meant for them to headline it. Dana was chasing this fight like an obsessed promoter but unfortunately Colby's manager or rep team declined it..

Hence why it is LACKING a headline main-event fight because the targetted main-event didn't happen.

They will probably try everything they can do to fit Chimaev into that card as the headline with a worthy dancing partner who can carry the headline with him

 

[Paulsp]

Francis scared of the goat

guess Jon’s gonna have to spank gane, stipe or Curtis then

 

[CerebralKnievel]

I love when sherdog dorks state as fact, their imaginary belief that someone isn't training.

 

[Paulsp]

Tickets go on sale Wednesday

hopefully the announce something good already booked my flight and hotel lol

 

[RoyJonesJr]

Didn't he just have a ACL surgery?

I thought the timeline for a ACL injury is usually about a year, no?

Some people recover faster, but this is a 6'5 265 HW were talking about

 

[Bend NvR Break]

Francis wants to box first as the UFC HW champion. He doesn't want to fight in the UFC and risk losing the HW title because that kills any chance of him boxing. The HW belt is his only leverage. That's also why he won't leave the ufc and sign somewhere else

 

[ultra321]

Didn't he just have a ACL surgery?

I thought the timeline for a ACL injury is usually about a year, no?

Some people recover faster, but this is a 6'5 265 HW were talking about

It was a year for mine... two before it felt normal...

Maybe he is in Cameroon trying to get a witch doctor to fix that knee cause modern medicine seems to have failed him... The pics I've seen look like it was done with a chainsaw...

 

[markys00]

Tickets go on sale Wednesday

hopefully the announce something good already booked my flight and hotel lol

Interesting. Can't believe O'Malley vs cejudo is the front runner.

 

[laleggenda27]

1. Jones is never fighting Francis. Jones has been talking about fighting at HW for more than 10 years, yet all evidence points to the contrary. Meanwhile, people still believe his nonsense.

2. Francis always intended to finish out his contract and leave. He's been crystal clear about this. If the UFC precludes him from boxing, he's walking. And nothing suggests the UFC would allow him to box. While not impossible, it would be very surprising if Francis re-signs with the UFC.