Jake Paul urges UFC to release Jon Jones for Francis Ngannou fight

The MVP MMA boss cited Shakur Stevenson's exit from Zuffa Boxing. Jones, who retired amid a feud with Dana White, still has fights left on his UFC contract and cannot fight elsewhere unless released.

By Combat Sports UK Staff · Published Tue 20 Oct, 10:35 UK · AI-assisted reporting

paul on jones v ngannou graphic — Original graphic: Combat Sports UK

Jake Paul has again called on the UFC to free Jon Jones from his contract so that the MVP MMA chief can stage the heavyweight fight with Francis Ngannou that fans have wanted for several years.

Jones, 39, announced his retirement after being left off the UFC Freedom 250 card, a snub that started an ongoing feud with Dana White. He still has fights remaining on his UFC deal, which means he cannot compete for another promotion unless the UFC formally releases him.

Paul pointed to Shakur Stevenson as a precedent. The undefeated boxing world champion announced on Monday that he had left Zuffa Boxing, White's boxing promotion. He said Zuffa had been unable to secure him the fights he wanted, so he asked to be released. Stevenson, 29, signed with Zuffa earlier this year and never fought under its banner.

Paul wrote on X: “Can Jon Jones request a release like Shakur Stevenson so we can go ahead and do this Francis Ngannou vs Jon Jones fight?”

Post by @jakepaul on X

He added: “So let Jon fly and we can give the fans what they want.” Ngannou returned to MMA earlier this year at MVP MMA 1, where he knocked out Philipe Lins in the first round. Few obvious opponents remain for him.

Jones has not fought in the Octagon since defending his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic in 2024. He recently said a return to combat sports was unlikely, though he stopped short of ruling it out entirely. It is unclear whether he would want to leave the UFC to face Ngannou.