Jon Jones apparently would like to fight the heavyweight division’s scariest knockout artist.
Jones, the reigning UFC light heavyweight champion who’s cleared out generations of the division, has pondered a move to heavyweight before and appears to be seriously considering it now.
Jones (26-1 MMA, 20-1 UFC) had a Twitter exchange with No. 1 contender Francis Ngannou (15-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) on Wednesday night, which prompted fans to question if he’d actually want to face the devastating knockout artist.
Jones is not backing down from the challenge.
“Who would you guys consider the quicker and more technical striker Thiago Santos or Francis?” Jones tweeted Thursday. “If you guys think I wouldn’t take this fight you’re insane. I have absolutely nothing else to prove as a light heavyweight. I’d love that big money fight right around now. Send the deal.”
Jones has been stuck in a quandary regarding who’s next for him, having previously admitted that it’s been a while since he’s been highly motivated for a fight. Jones edged Thiago Santos and Dominick Reyes in his last two outings.
Ngannou has dispatched his last four opponents in the first round, including Jairzinho Rozenstruik last Saturday at UFC 249, and is knocking on the door for another title shot. But with the trilogy bout between UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier yet to be booked, it could be a while until Ngannou gets his wish.
When Jones was discussing former opponent Ovince Saint-Preux’s heavyweight debut during UFC on ESPN+ 29, Ngannou chimed in but was quickly shut down by Jones.
“Seemed so real Francis, all that power means nothing when your hay makers are too slow,” Jones tweeted. “I’m not most my friend.”
Notoriously known for deleting tweets, Jones’ manager, Abraham Kawa, indicated that, this time, Jones is serious about wanting to face Ngannou.
“He’s not kidding and not deleting this,” Kawa said in a tweet.
