MMA icon Jon Jones recently expressed his views on the highly anticipated boxing match between Francis Ngannou and Anthony Joshua. While supporting Ngannou due to his impressive life journey and shared background in mixed martial arts, Jones hinted at placing his hypothetical bet on Joshua.
During an interview at the PFL vs. Bellator event, Jones elaborated on his stance. He stated: “I’m rooting for Francis to win, only because his story, how far he’s come in life, me being a fellow mixed martial artist. How could you not root for Francis? Francis is a wonderful stand-up person… but Anthony Joshua has been doing this since he was a young boy, and I’m the type of guy who gives respect where it’s due.”
Jones acknowledged how experienced Joshua is and said that if he were betting, his money would lean towards Joshua. Jones humorously added: “If I personally had to put my money on it, not that I gamble, I would put it on Anthony Joshua but, I am rooting for Francis… Sorry Francis.”
Despite supporting Ngannou in boxing, Jones asserted his confidence in winning in an MMA bout against Ngannou, as well as Stipe Miocic and Tom Aspinall. He said: “I feel like there’s a lot of the fight that the world wants right now. The Tom Aspinall fight still that’s really massive, Francis Ngannou and I would be really massive, and Stipe. To the hardcore fans, it’s still a respectable opponent.”
” I don’t know how the cards are going to fall, my prediction is I’d beat Stipe Miocic, my prediction is that I’d beat Tom Aspinall, and Francis Ngannou. So, the way that it unfolds is not really my business, my job is to do what I’ve always done since Day 1.”
Francis Ngannou was present at the event with boxing legend Mike Tyson. He responded vehemently to Jones’ predictions by shouting, “In your dreams! You’re f**king fat!”
On March 8, Ngannou and Joshua will square off inside the ring. On the other hand, Jones is recovering from a pectoral injury that led to the withdrawal from his UFC 295 title bout with Miocic. He is yet to announce a specific return date.