Francis Ngannou responded to Jon Jones after the UFC heavyweight champion called for a stunning super fight between them.
Jones hasn't fought since he knocked out Stipe Miocic in his first and only defence of his heavyweight title in November at UFC 309, having won the vacant strap with a debut win in the division against Ciyrl Gane at UFC 285 in 2023.
His rightful challenger for the belt is interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, with the two continually going back as UFC continue working on making the showdown happen.
Having given his reasoning for why a fight with Aspinall hasn't been booked yet, Jones then expressed his interest in a "real super fight" with former UFC heavyweight king Ngannou.
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"I’m hearing Francis Ngannou is still interested… now we’re talking," Jones wrote on X.
"That’s a real super fight. A clash of champions, not just hype. He held the UFC belt, I’ve defended mine for over a decade. Two kings from different roads. Not just one legend facing a mouth that’s hot right now, but two real legacies colliding. That’s the kind of fight that actually adds something special to my story. At least from my point of view."
Jones also denied that Ngannou would be an easier fight than Aspinall, as he vented: "You clowns thinking, Francis would be that much easier because of the ground game. Tom has no ground game either. In English black belt is like getting a participation ribbon.
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Jones collected the heavyweight belt after Ngannou was stripped and left the company as a free agent when he and UFC could not come to terms on a new deal.
Francis Ngannou fires back at Jon Jones after UFC challenge
The pair never crossed over and Ngannou proceeded to sign with the rival PFL promotion, competing once with a knockout victory over Renan Ferreira but only after boxing both Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in lucrative Saudi Arabia super fights.
But while he is in a different promotion, Ngannou appears keen on finally squaring off against Jones in the future.
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Replying to 'Bones', the Cameroonian said: "You take care of the UFC, I'll take care of the PFL, and we'll finally find out who's the KING OF THE HEAVYWEIGHT."
Ngannou's comment comes after his MMA coach, Eric Nicksick, said he was hoping that all parties are able to "mend these fences and get back in competing in the UFC".
The first reigning champion to leave UFC in 19 years, Ngannou was also tipped by his trainer as the fighter who can "help bridge that gap that the UFC is lacking in its star power when it comes to the heavyweight division".
The 38-year-old is still pursuing a fight with former WBC champion Deontay Wilder as he looks to get a win on his professional boxing record at the third time of asking.
Topics: Francis Ngannou, UFC, MMA, Jon Jones
Josh Lawless