Curtis Blaydes still doesn’t think Jon Jones would beat Francis Ngannou at heavyweight, despite “Bones” lashing out at Blaydes’ recent comments.
Curtis Blaydes Is Still Picking Ngannou Over Jones
Recently, Jones hit out at Blaydes for the top-ranked heavyweight picking Francis Ngannou over himself in a potential clash at heavyweight.
Jones, the longtime king of the UFC’s light heavyweight division, has been preparing for a move up to heavyweight for several years now.
He hasn’t fought since a 2020 light heavyweight title retain over Dominick Reyes. Now, “Bones” is expected to return to the Octagon at heavyweight relatively soon.
However, when Blaydes was asked who he’s picking in a potential clash between the dominant Jones and current heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, Blaydes picked his two-time opponent Ngannou. This sparked a reaction on social media from Jones.
Jones had some choice words for Blaydes, to which the latter has finally been able to respond. In a recent interview with Helen Yee, Blaydes responded to Jones’ social media tirade.
“I think he lets the internet and social media – he lets it tell him what to do,” Blaydes said. “I don’t understand.
“Because he’s a big guy, he’s a big name, he shouldn’t care what people on the internet are saying. I think he does and I don’t know why he’s got beef with me. I don’t feel like I’ve said anything disrespectful.
“I was asked who would win in a fight – my prediction between him and Stipe. I went with Stipe because he has five-round heavyweight experience.
“I guess he got offended by that. I don’t know why though.”
When asked if Jones’ reaction changed his mind at all, Blaydes doubled down that he’s still picking Ngannou in the potential fight.
“I’m still going to go with the guy with five-round heavyweight experience,” Blaydes said. “I’m going with Ngannou.
“We don’t know if Jon can handle getting hit at heavyweight. We don’t know. He might be able to, he may not to.
“But since we don’t know I’m going to go with the heaviest hitter in the division. I’m going to go with Francis.”
