The biggest fight in the heavyweight division somehow got away from fight fans in January of 2023.
When Jon Jones finally made his way up to the UFC’s heavyweight division, the man that everyone wanted to see him fight parted ways with the promotion.
Francis Ngannou vacated the title, which was later won by Jones at UFC 285, before signing with the PFL and stepping into the world of boxing.
Only two men have shared the cage with both Jones and Ngannou with Stipe Miocic facing ‘The Predator’ on two occasions having had his retirement fight against ‘Bones’ this past November.
Though Tom Aspinall has also inserted himself into the conversation, Jones being at the top of the UFC without beating the last man to hold the title opens up an interesting debate of who really is the baddest man on the planet right now.
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Stipe Miocic names Francis Ngannou as the baddest man on the planet
Stipe Miocic is in a better position than most to answer this question not just because he has been in there with both men. The 25-fight veteran was clearly the baddest man on the planet during his record-breaking heavyweight title reign in the UFC.
In a recent interview with The Schmo, he gave his thoughts on how Jones and Ngannou would matchup with one another if the super fight ever did take place.
“Well Francis, you know, he’s got great power,” Miocic explained. “And he’s getting better every fight. With Jones, he’s good, one of the best of all time if not the best of all time.
“He’s smart, real tricky but with Francis, he always comes with a good game plan but also he’s got thunder in his fists so that’s a tough fight. I think Jon would keep his distance, he’d do well, get him down to the ground but if Francis connects, all over.”
When asked who he believes is deserving of the baddest man on the planet title right now, Miocic voted against the last opponent of his career. “I mean I would go Francis just because he’s doing great and with his boxing, I would go with Francis.”
Stipe Miocic is a huge part of Francis Ngannou’s career
Aside from a loss in his second pro fight and the bizarre contest that was his stalemate with Derrick Lewis, the only man to really best a dangerous Francis Ngannou was Stipe Miocic.
The defending heavyweight champion broke the record for consecutive title defenses in the division when he convincingly beat Ngannou at UFC 220.
Following his defeat to Lewis the following fight, ‘The Predator’ went on a revenge tour, winning four fights in the first round to book a rematch with Miocic where he brought the champion’s second title reign to a crashing halt.
The 42-year-old firefighter may be retired but it can’t be forgotten that before there was a debate about Jones and Ngannou, Miocic was the best of the best by some margin.
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