Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou thinks Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic is a lot tougher to call than people are giving it credit for.
Jones is set to put his heavyweight gold on the line against Miocic in the main event of UFC 295 on November 11. The heavyweight title clash will be held inside Madison Square Garden in New York City. Some have speculated that this could end up being the last we see of both Jones and Miocic inside the Octagon.
Miocic is looking to become a three-time UFC heavyweight champion. Jones is in search of his first successful title defense of the heavyweight gold.
Francis Ngannou On Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic
During a recent media scrum following an open workout session, Francis Ngannou was asked for his thoughts on the Jones vs. Miocic matchup. It’s difficult for “The Predator” to pick a winner, as he feels Miocic poses a greater threat than people realize.
“I put 50-50 on that fight,” Ngannou said. “Why? Because I fought Stipe twice as you just said, and I know Stipe is pretty good [laughs]. Yeah, I fought Stipe twice and I know he doesn’t look like, but I know how tough he is, I know how good he is. I know very well.”
Ngannou was then asked if he feels that he needs to fight Jon Jones for his legacy.
“I don’t feel like I need, I feel like I want,” Ngannou said. “I want, it’s not a need, I want.”
As far as how a matchup with Jones would play out, “The Predator” kept it brief.
“Well, put us in the Octagon, and then you will find out,” Ngannou said.
Of course, the Jones fight appears out of reach for Ngannou at this point. Ngannou left the UFC as the promotion’s heavyweight champion to explore the free agency market. He ended up signing a deal with PFL, which has allowed him to have a boxing match with Tyson Fury on October 28.
Here’s the entire media scrum following Francis Ngannou’s open workout session:
