Jon Jones ripped into Francis Ngannou for labeling himself as the baddest motherf**ker on the planet after joining the PFL.
Reigning UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones is widely regarded as the greatest mixed martial artist of all time. Back when Jones ruled the light heavyweight division, he got linked to a mega showdown with Ngannou. He expressed his willingness to compete against the former UFC champion and got to work on moving up a weight class. However, the matchup fell apart by the time Jones made his comeback as Ngannou departed the promotion due to failed contract negotiations.
Jones took on Ciryl Gane in his return to action and handily dispatched him in the opening round at UFC 285 two months ago.
Jon Jones rips Francis Ngannou for calling himself the baddest man on the planet after PFL signing
PFL announced Francis Ngannou joined the promotion in an unprecedented deal earlier today. Ngannou took to Twitter to call himself the baddest motherf**ker on the planet.
“No matter what other promoters say,” Ngannou wrote. “No matter what some fighters say, no matter what media say, who do you think is the baddest motherf**ker on the planet? Me!”
Full details on my deal here https://t.co/DLRi6ORjH1 pic.twitter.com/0MAXhSAxOy
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) May 16, 2023
Jon Jones bashed Ngannou for declaring himself the best fighter after signing with PFL.
“Calling yourself the baddest man on the planet from across the street, who does that? Lol”
Calling yourself the baddest man on the planet from across the street, who does that? Lol
— Jonny Meat (@JonnyBones) May 16, 2023
‘The Predator’ hit back at Jones with a fiery challenge calling on him to join the PFL as well.
“Then cross the street.”
Then cross the street
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) May 16, 2023
Jones implied Ngannou did not want to fight him
‘Bones’ continued his tirade against Ngannou on his social media channels. He implied Ngannou’s confidence in giving himself the label of being the baddest stems from the fact that he joined a new organization instead of re-signing with the UFC, effectively ruling out a fight with Jones.
“My man wins one Super Bowl, transferred to a top arena football league, and then claims to be better than Brady,” added Jones. “That’s what I’m hearing right now.”
“He’s sure doing a lot of talking now that the two of you can’t fight,” wrote a user.
Jones responded, “You notice that! Wasn’t calling himself the baddest when he was still a free agent. He signed safely behind a new organization, and now suddenly the baddest thing walking. Like we all haven’t seen him quitting inside that cage before.”
You notice that! Wasn’t calling himself the baddest when he was still a free agent. He signed safely behind a new organization, and now suddenly the baddest thing walking. Like we all haven’t seen him quitting inside that cage before. https://t.co/2lm13FUqxI
— Jonny Meat (@JonnyBones) May 16, 2023
Francis Ngannou is scheduled to make his PFL debut next year after a planned boxing match targeted for this year. Meanwhile, Jon Jones has been eyeing a fight with former UFC champion Stipe Miocic and more concrete developments are expected to follow.