Few MMA stars step into the UFC and immediately find their rhythm in the division, but among the chosen few, UFC bantamweight contender Montel Jackson (15-2) has carved his own path. ‘Quik’ made his UFC debut after making waves on the regional Midwest circuit, quickly catching attention with his striking and composure. The Wisconsin native earned his spot on DWCS 9 back in 2018, securing a technical knockout victory. Since then, Jackson has been busy giving his all, steadily building his case as a future bantamweight title contender.

Now on a six-fight winning streak and currently ranked No. 15, the journey to the top is still long, but  Montel Jackson knows he must maintain his momentum. This weekend, the 33-year-old star steps into the Octagon at UFC Rio, aiming to outclass the flyweight legend Deiveson Figueiredo in what promises to be a heated bantamweight showdown. Yet, ahead of the fight, Jackson is making headlines for a different reason: his hands. Rumors have surfaced claiming that the bantamweight’s fists are larger than those of heavyweight nightmare Francis Ngannou.

Montel Jackson confirms his hand size vs. Francis Ngannou

Once a force to be reckoned with, Francis Ngannou dominated elite heavyweights whenever he entered the Octagon. Although his UFC tenure as champion lasted only briefly, he still left an indelible mark on the sport that few could match. After failing to reach an agreement with Dana White & Co., Ngannou departed the promotion in pursuit of his “freedom,” vacating the belt and, in the process, shutting down a potential showdown with Jon Jones. At the time, standing 6’4’’ and weighing over 250 pounds, he posed the most formidable threat to Jones’ legacy.

According to Tapology, he also held an extraordinary reach of 83’’. After years away from the UFC, Ngannou is now back in the UFC conversation. More recently, a 5’10’’ fighter from Wisconsin captured attention on social media, seemingly outshining ‘The Predator’ with his hands. Two years ago, speaking about his own hands in comparison to Ngannou’s, Montel Jackson told UFC 281 post-fight press: “Usually I see it in their face when I squeeze their hand real hard. … My fingers are longer than (Francis’). His palm is just a little thicker.”

‘Quik’ wields hands that qualify as a genetic marvel, and as a result, he has earned a reputation in the division for their sheer size and power — monstrous, almost ‘Hellboy’-like. But in the unforgiving theater of the Octagon, do bigger hands truly give him an advantage?

Does Montel Jackson’s hand size give him an advantage in the bantamweight division?

Success in MMA rarely hinges on skill alone; genetics often tip the scales in subtle but significant ways. Take, for example, former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, whose extraordinary striking range made him a standout in kickboxing before he left his mark on MMA. Similarly, Conor McGregor’s massive deltoids contribute not only to his chiseled frame but also to the thunderous knockout power that sent José Aldo to sleep in just 13 seconds.

Similarly, Montel Jackson’s large hands play a pivotal role in shaping his fighting style. Bigger hands can deliver more force, and even when they fall short of a knockout, they can briefly neutralize an opponent, creating critical openings. In grappling and clinching, those same hands become weapons of control, giving ‘Quick’ a decisive edge. Coupled with his height and 73-inch reach, these physical tools transform him into a more formidable competitor inside the Octagon.

Now, as UFC Rio approaches, do you see Montel Jackson as the fan favorite against Deiveson Figueiredo? The Wisconsin native’s rise into the top 10 looks seamless on paper, but at the contender level, can “Quick” really make his mark? Drop your prediction below.