The announcement of the highly anticipated fall super fights came down to two explosive matchups. One bout featured Jon Jones facing off against Stipe Miocic for the coveted UFC heavyweight championship. Simultaneously, another thrilling crossover boxing bout was announced, pitting former UFC champion Francis Ngannou against the WBC heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury. Dana White, the UFC president, made the official announcement a day before UFC 290, while the Ngannou-Fury matchup was revealed last Tuesday, stirring up immense excitement among fight fans.

While both bouts hold significance, a notable distinction arises between the two. One bout signifies progression for the sport, while the other leans towards being a standalone spectacle.

The clash between Jones and Miocic carries weight in shaping the future of the heavyweight division. This pivotal encounter may pave the way for emerging talents like Sergei Pavlovich, Serghei Spivac, Jailton Almeida, or possibly Tom Aspinall to assert their dominance. However, the foremost task at hand is for Jones and Miocic to determine the ultimate heavyweight supremacy.

Originally set to face Oleksandr Usyk, the reigning IBF, IBO, WBO, and WBA champion, Tyson Fury had the chance to participate in a historic unification fight, which would have determined the first undisputed champion in the prestigious division of boxing after a span of over two decades. This highly anticipated event held immense significance for the sport. However, negotiations between Fury and Usyk fell apart in March, leading to an entirely different matchup taking shape.

Despite the change in plans, there are notable advantages for Francis Ngannou. According to his manager, Marquel Martin, this fight promises to yield a financial reward surpassing Ngannou's combined UFC earnings. Moreover, securing a bout with Fury, who briefly captured the attention of Dana White, undoubtedly complicated the negotiations but ultimately presents a favorable opportunity for Ngannou.

In a recent interview on Sirius XM's Unlocking the Cage show, Ngannou was asked to share his thoughts on “For some reason, I always prove Dana White wrong—even when he’s on my side. I always prove him wrong, every single time. This is just our story.”

Kudos to Ngannou for maintaining his relevance beyond the UFC. The ongoing development of the feud between White and Ngannou promises to captivate fans, with White undoubtedly addressing it in an upcoming press conference. While White took the lead in the initial announcement, Ngannou continues to generate headlines outside the realm of the UFC, solidifying his presence in the spotlight.