Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones may not be fighting anytime soon, but that’s apparently not going to stop them from trading barbs on social media. Jones went on a particularly long and weird rant on Twitter talking about hard work and America.
Ran through the light heavyweight division on talent, about to run through the heavyweight division like dominoes off pure hard work
— BONY (@JonnyBones) April 30, 2021
Motivate me more @francis_ngannou
— BONY (@JonnyBones) April 30, 2021
The greatest title in the world is coming back to the greatest country in the world.
— BONY (@JonnyBones) April 30, 2021
If you think you are going to run through America, you are wrong.
— BONY (@JonnyBones) April 30, 2021
Oh you know what’s inside of me @francis_ngannou you’ve never seen me quit
— BONY (@JonnyBones) May 1, 2021
Jones also essentially promised that if he doesn’t lose, he will win.
Pray you knock me out because if you don’t I’m going to break you, and that’s a promise @francis_ngannou
— BONY (@JonnyBones) May 1, 2021
Ngannou responded to some of the tweets, basically just laughing off Jones’ threat to “break” him. The heavyweight champion brought up how Jones has had a string of decisions and close fights as of late.
I shouldn’t have to motivate you Jonny…if it’s not in you already you’ve already lost. I know my motivation https://t.co/YzPZgimlWR
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) April 30, 2021
Please don’t make me laugh !
When is the last time that you break somebody out? https://t.co/XpFZhrVLcp— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) May 1, 2021
You’re a decision fighter @JonnyBones and you’ve barely won a fight lately.
But you’re going to break me out— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) May 1, 2021
To counter, Jones brought up his five submissions, which was a UFC light heavyweight record for a while.
A decision fighter? I carried the record for most submissions in the light heavyweight division for many years my friend. You are what we call a one trick pony @francis_ngannou every champion I’ve ever faced punched hard. I see right through you
— BONY (@JonnyBones) May 1, 2021
I would rather be a decision fighter than a last for two rounds fighter ♂️
— BONY (@JonnyBones) May 1, 2021
Honestly @francis_ngannou I really respect you and your story. I really don’t feel the need to have to crush you in a verbal battle to do what I’ve done to everyone since 2011
— BONY (@JonnyBones) May 1, 2021
Im just telling you now @francis_ngannou if you want to start this Internet talk, be sure to keep up. Most people that talk shit with me go quiet after a while.. Everyone’s going to be the first to smash Jon Jones, very popular theme
— BONY (@JonnyBones) May 1, 2021
Jones’ resume is undeniably hall-of-fame worthy, but Ngannou did nitpick and jab at some facts about the former light heavyweight champion’s recent finishing rates.
The last submission win from Jones is all the way back in 2012 against Vitor Belfort. With his lack of finishes lately, that submission record Jones brought up has since been broken by Glover Teixeira. Ovince Saint Preux, Paul Craig, and Misha Cirkunov are also now tied with Jones.
With the Cormier win in 2017 being overturned, Jones has just one official finish in eight years. Since that last TKO in 2018 against Alexander Gustafsson, Jones’ three fights have all been decisions.
That of course doesn’t diminish the quality of opposition and his stellar 26-1 (1 NC) record, but it was factual and a good way to push some of Jones’ buttons while trying to sell a fight. Although none of this would matter if negotiations don’t progress with the UFC, and they continue to refuse to open their checkbooks enough to book this fight.
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