”I claim that title…” PFL Champion Francis Ngannou dismisses Jon Jones’ status as heavyweight ‘GOAT’
Despite dominating the UFC 309 PPV headliner, Jon Jones is not the most dangerous heavyweight MMA fighter in the world, according to Francis Ngannou.
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Francis Ngannou says he's the best heavyweight in MMA, not UFC's Jon Jones (Source: IMAGO/X)
Jon Jones is not the world’s most dangerous heavyweight MMA fighter, despite his recent UFC 309 PPV dominance. That’s according to Francis Ngannou, who says he deserves the distinction! Both recently made good on their promises and took a shine on their heavyweight blimp.
TMZSports (@TMZSports) recently caught up with the ex-lineal UFC heavyweight and recent PFL superfights champ. Francis Ngannou recently made his MMA return (read fight highlights) at the PFL ‘Battle of the Giants’ pay-per-view. Ngannou weighed in on Jon Jones’ return at UFC 309 at MSG and whether that hoists him as a 265-pound G.O.A.T.
You can’t deny what [Jon] has done as a heavyweight, …but I personally cannot classify him as the best heavyweight of all time. C’mon, man…I claim the title!
Francis Ngannou to TMZSports (@TMZSports)
Jon Jones vs. Ngannou was a top what-if situation in heavyweight at the time. But ‘Bones’ spent 3 years bulking up and spent his time out due to failed contractual rehashings for it. He recently retained his heavyweight title with a Round 3 TKO of Stipe Miocic at the UFC 309 Pay-per-view (PPV) main event. As a result, the floodgates are now open on who’s the best, again.
Now it is extremely unlikely that this fight will ever happen. Ngannou is a member of the PFL, while Jones signed an eight-fight contract extension with the UFC last year. Adding to the woes is that Jon Jones is only willing to return if for a super fight against one Alex Pereira. The Brazilian is the current champ at 205-pound mark; Jones’ old stomping grounds. A rather smaller heavyweight, he finds the challenge good enough. Some veterans though have some other ideas on Ngannou.
Chael Sonnen, Daniel Cormier are in agreement on how Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou would unfold
Following the UFC 309 PPV, Chael Sonnen and Daniel Cormier have cast doubt on Francis Ngannou’s chances against Jon Jones. The Cameroonian lost his bid against Miocic at UFC 220, and later rebounded on a high note. It was right between his back-to-back skid phase that saw him in trouble.
Jones made somewhat easy work of Miocic, 42, though, in his second go at 265. Watching Jones (28-1 MMA, 22-1 UFC) dominate one of the best heavyweights, ‘DC’ and Sonnen had their takes on it:
Do you know what Jon would have done to Francis Ngannou in hindsight? …Now that we look back, Jon would have picked that big man apart. I mean, I’m just sharing with you, like, that’s a big man’s nightmare. Jon’s not a heavyweight; Jon is fighting at heavyweight. There’s a massive difference.
Chael Sonnen via ‘ Good Guy / Bad Guy’ Podcast (@ESPNMMA) for ESPN2/ ESPNPodcenter
Jones and Francis Ngannou were on a collision course before the latter decided to sign a contract with the PFL. Cormier, who has faced them both, agreed. Having fought Jones twice, he was particularly impressed with how his former rival wrestled. After his step-behind-stance throwdown, ‘DC’ is sure Jones would have done the same to Ngannou. Additionally, he thinks the latter would have struggled.
Related: UFC Champion Jon Jones looking forward to ‘bury the hatchet’ with Daniel Cormier at UFC 309
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