Ahead of a gigantic event in Riyadh, PFL co-founder Donn Davis continues to goad UFC CEO Dana White, accusing his fellow MMA promoter of being ‘scared’ as he explained the difference between the two organizations.
Earlier in the week, UFC CEO Dana White was asked what he thought about Francis Ngannou’s return to MMA action this coming weekend; “What do I care?” joked the veteran promoter.
PFL boss Donn Davis claims Dana White is ‘scared’ by the promotion’s growth
Speaking with the media ahead of ‘Battle of the Giants’ out in Saudi Arabia, PFL co-founder Donn Davis would explain that from the promotion’s perspective; they also don’t care who wins between Francis Ngannou and Renan Ferreira.
“Are we nervous about Francis and this outcome? No. The Professional Fighters League is different from the other guys – the other guys are promoter-driven and have stakes in certain fighters… [Whereas] we are a fighter-driven league, the fighters control their [own] destiny.
“There are 650 million MMA fans in the world, and right now you only get 60 great fights a year,” claimed Davis, teasing how every 12 months fans only get “40 in the UFC and 20 from the Professional Fighters League.”
This weekend’s PFL mega-show is set to take place at the Kingdom Arena, the same venue that hosted the fantastic ‘5 vs 5’ between Matchroom and Queensbury boxing promotions earlier this year.
Whilst Davis hinted that the PFL would be open to participating in a 5 vs 5 contest against the UFC, he doubts that Dana White would agree to such an event – even going as far as to accuse the CEO of being ‘scared’ about what the result could be.
“Yes, the UFC’s brand is bigger, we recognize that we’re the new guy [and] we have to work harder… We’re in year five, they’re in year 30, but if push came to shove and it was five fights – we pick five, they pick five – let me tell you, they wouldn’t do that because we’d win half, and they’d win half.
“That’s why Dana, hashtag ‘Dana scared’, would never do that… He knows that, and we know that… But [why not] be fans of all of us, we love all fighting, we root for all fighters [so] watch them both.”
Donn Davis challenges Jon Jones to crossover fight with ‘Battle of the Giants’ winner
As Davis took aim at Dana White for allegedly being ‘scared’ by the PFL, he also offered a stern challenge to one of the promotion’s biggest superstars, former light heavyweight king and current heavyweight champion, Jon Jones.
“Our focus is on this Saturday; this is the biggest fight in MMA at heavyweight this year… This is the fight everyone wants to see. Whoever comes out of this fight is the Number 1 [heavyweight] in the world.
“Whoever wants to claim the No. 1 spot goes through the winner of this fight, not through the UFC – this fight. So, whoever wants to claim that position better be calling us after Saturday, not calling them.”
- EXCLUSIVE: Francis Ngannou’s opponent reacts after Tom Aspinall slams him as ‘not elite’ competition
Francis Ngannou has found himself being asked about Jon Jones on numerous occasions this week, with ‘The Predator’ stating that he’s willing to fight anyone who is brave enough to sign a contract.
According to Davis, ‘Bones’ is also desperate to test himself against Ngannou: “I think Jon Jones wants to cement his legacy; [but] there’s only one obstacle to that fight, and we know who that is.”
Jon Jones is scheduled to take on Stipe Miocic in the main event of UFC 309, scheduled for November at Madison Square Garden.