If Jon Jones ever makes a move up to heavyweight, he could already have a marquee opponent waiting for him.
During Wednesday’s UFC Jacksonville co-main event between Ben Rothwell and Ovince Saint Preux, the light heavyweight champion noted that he could picture himself transitioning to heavyweight as “OSP” was doing for the first time in his UFC career.
Jones defeated Saint Preux to win an interim light heavyweight title four years ago and seeing Saint Preux fighting Rothwell, he suggested that the possibility of fighting at heavyweight “so much more real to me” and that “I was visualizing myself as [Saint Preux] that whole fight.”
Heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou noticed Jones’s comment and asked, “How real it seemed to you my friend?” Jones appeared to take that tweet as a challenge and he responded to Ngannou in kind.
Who would you guys consider the quicker and more technical striker Thiago Santos or Francis? If you guys think I wouldn’t take this fight you’re insane. I have absolutely nothing else to prove as a light heavyweight. I’d love that big money fight right around now. Send the deal
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) May 14, 2020
Jones successfully defended his title against Santos via split decision last July.
“If you guys think I wouldn’t take this fight you’re insane,” Jones wrote in reference to Ngannou. “I have absolutely nothing else to prove as a light heavyweight. I’d love that big money fight right around now. Send the deal.”
Fellow fighters Derek Brunson and Jimi Manuwa chimed in to show their excitement at the potential matchup.
Currently, Jones is without a clear-cut No. 1 contender though rematches with Santos and Dominick Reyes have been discussed. The 32-year-old has frequently mentioned going up a division in the past, but has yet to commit to such a move.
UPDATE: Ngannou responded to Jones’s callout Tuesday afternoon and it sounds like there is a mutual interest in doing business.
If you think you can handle my technique level that’s fine 🤷♂️ but I agree with you that you don’t have anything to prove in LHW division and that this should be for bags 💰💰💰💰💰💰💰 https://t.co/PtD04F3aSl
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) May 14, 2020
