Jon Jones turned his attention on would-be opponent Francis Ngannou after the UFC heavyweight champion defended his countryman, middleweight champ Israel Adesanya.
The former champion light heavyweight was expected to take on Stipe Mocic in his debut at heavyweight later this year. Ngannou responded with a tweet comparing Jones’ record to Adesanya’s.
Since Jones been siting back and talking sh*t Izzy have defended his title a least 5 times. Well done CHAMP @stylebender
Some people talk and some act. #3kings
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) July 3, 2022
As expected Jones heckled Adesanya before the title defense against Jared Cannonier. He called him “Elsa”, after Disney’s star from “Frozen”. Adesanya previously referred to his next expected challenger, Alex Pereira, as Elsa multiple times before and after UFC 2776.
Jones showed up after Adesanya’s lackluster title defense to again mock the champ and elevate Pereira. The former GLORY two-division champ owns two kickboxing wins over Adesanya including a knockout in their previous encounter.
Ngannou, Jones’ original target at heavyweight before a title dispute benched him, got in the line of sight and took fire.
Look at Francis there, defending Elsa. You guys’ work will not match my efforts in the octagon. I can takeoff another two years. #Facts
— BONY (@JonnyBones) July 6, 2022
“Look at Francis over there defending Elsa, how cute,” Jones wrote. “I could takeoff two more years and you guys work combined won’t match what I’ve done in that octagon. #Facts.”
I’m really not impressed with you or your boy, I’ve seen you quit multiple times. And your boy almost got flat lined the last time he faced Alex. If you both win your next fights then I will be amazed. Until then, keep the name out of your mouth, there’s levels.
— BONY (@JonnyBones) July 6, 2022
” I am not impressed with your boy or you, and have seen you give up multiple times,” Jones said. Your boy nearly got knocked out by Alex the last time they met. If you both win your next fights then I will be impressed. Until then, keep the name out of your mouth, there’s levels.”
Jones, 34, hopes to return to the octagon this year but is still waiting on a date. Miocic pushed back an original target of UFC 276 to focus on recovery and training.
According to UFC President Dana White, Ngannou and Miocic may be the next option for Jones, depending on how long Jones’ recovery from his knee surgery. Of course, Ngannou also needs to ink a new contract before the end of the year, when he said he becomes a free agent.
