Jon Jones expressed happiness for Francis Ngannou after his boxing match against Tyson Fury and believes it opens doors for future opportunities in combat sports.
In his first public statement since Francis Ngannou’s notable boxing debut against Tyson Fury, Jon Jones expressed his happiness for his fellow fighter. Despite initial doubts, Jones applauded Ngannou’s performance, describing the fight as competitive and acknowledging the opportunities it presents for all fighters in the future. Ngannou, considered the underdog, impressed the combat sports world by pushing Fury to his limits and nearly defeating the lineal heavyweight champion. Although he ultimately lost via a narrow split decision, Ngannou made his mark by knocking Fury down and causing a cut on his forehead.
Jones and Ngannou have been engaged in a back-and-forth rivalry for over two years, initiated by Ngannou’s victory over Stipe Miocic in March 2021. Ngannou left the UFC this past January to explore other options after capturing the heavyweight title, while Jones made his highly anticipated debut in the division a few months later, claiming the vacant title. The two heavyweights finally had a face-to-face encounter in June at the PFL 5 card in Atlanta, which garnered significant attention. Despite a mostly cordial interaction on that occasion, both fighters continued to exchange verbal jabs from a distance. After the Fury fight, Ngannou again mentioned Jones on social media, keeping the rivalry alive.
Presently, Jones is recovering from a shoulder injury that forced him to withdraw from his scheduled UFC 295 title defense against former champion Stipe Miocic. Widely acknowledged as the greatest light heavyweight fighter in MMA history, Jones is expected to make his comeback in mid-2024 to defend his UFC heavyweight belt against Miocic. He showcased his determination and refusal to quit in a recent tweet, stating his belief that even his naysayers struggle with betting against him and expressing hope for brighter days ahead.
Jon Jones expressed his satisfaction with Francis Ngannou’s performance in his professional boxing debut against Tyson Fury. Despite their ongoing rivalry, Jones praised Ngannou’s efforts and acknowledged the impact of the fight on the future of combat sports. Both fighters have a history of trading verbal jabs, but their potential showdown is currently on hold as Jones recovers from a shoulder injury. The highly regarded light heavyweight champion is expected to defend his UFC heavyweight belt in mid-2024 against Stipe Miocic.