Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson doesn’t think Jon Jones is “dumb enough” to stand and trade with Francis Ngannou.
Never having the lost the title to anyone, ex-UFC Heavyweight Champion Ngannou decided to take his career elsewhere after being released from his UFC contract in 2023 after defending his title against Ciryl Gane, KO’ing Stipe Miocic and many others on the road to the title.
Can This Fantasy Fight Become A Reality?
One name Ngannou never fought was current heavyweight champion Jon Jones, who UFC CEO Dana White has argued for, time and time again, to be the world’s #1 pound-for-pound fighter.
While the matchup itself is far from happening as Ngannou is currently signed under the PFL promotion, there’s a whole lot of intrigue surrounding the super-fight, especially now with the rich pockets of Turki Alalshikh in play for the UFC.
“My dream fight was at heavyweight Jon Jones and Francis and I still think to this [day],” Joe Rogan told former UFC Champion Rampage Jackson on his podcast. “There was actually an article that I read this morning that with the Saudis, the UFC is now doing shows in Saudi Arabia that Dana is not opposed to the possibility of a joint promotion with Jon Jones vs. Francis.”
The clip below is what UFC commentator Rogan is referring to, with Dana White answering a question on Turki Alalshikh’s involvement and if Francis Ngannou could potentially factor in.
https://x.com/jedigoodman/status/1807294982614823255
Rampage Says Jones Would “Desperately Try To Get Francis Down And Submit Him”
If Jones vs. Ngannou were to somehow get made (and that’s a very big if), how would it play out? While regarded as one of the most skilled mixed martial artists of all time, Jackson doesn’t think his former foe would stick around on the feet to find out what the powerful Ngannou is all about.
“That would be huge,” Jackson said of a potential fight between Jones and Ngannou. “With all due respect, I think Jon Jones is a smart enough fighter to not fight Francis’ fight on that one though. Jon Jones, he ain’t a dummy. He’s a smart fighter.”
“I always say Jon Jones is Neo [from ‘The Matrix’ movie]. That kid… his mind is so strong. I think that he would desperately try to get Francis down and submit him. He won’t be dumb enough to stand.”
Jones’ Power
Takedowns and submissions were Jones’ ultimate keys to victory in his 2011 fight against Jackson, submitting “Rampage” with a rear-naked choke in round 4 to defend the light heavyweight title at UFC 135. Jones’ is no slouch on the feet, either, but as Rogan points out on his podcast, crazy KO power like Ngannou isn’t his forte, making mention of Jones’ (now overturned) TKO win over Daniel Cormier back in 2017, where he finished Cormier with punches in bunches after landing a headkick.
“When he punched me, I was more worried about the eyepoke than the punch,” Jackson said of Jones’ power.
