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“This Guy Could Possibly Hurt Me” – Jon Jones Opens up on Francis Ngannou Fight

Published 06/30/2020, 1:28 PM EDT

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UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones evaluates the risks of fighting Francis Ngannou at heavyweight.

A couple of weeks ago, Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou found themselves arguing on social media. Both men went back and forth and were on a collision course. The fight had even reached the negotiation stage. However, it never materialized as the UFC did not meet Jones’ demands.

Speaking to Steve-O, “Bones” discussed the probable outcomes of the match. The American fighter admitted that the risk of getting knocked out is real. But he also said that if he can weather the early storm, his chances of winning increase dramatically.

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“With Francis Ngannou, it’s very simple. Get comfortable with the worst-case scenario. Worst-case scenario he knocks you the f–k out, he possibly fractures a bone in your face. That’s the worst-case scenario. You get real comfortable with that idea, and then it becomes easy.”

Jon Jones believes that he has to get through round one

Jones may not possess the size or the power of Ngannou. Yet he has the necessary tools to beat the Cameroonian-French.

“If he doesn’t knock you out and break your face, you’re smart, you’re fast, you have a chin, you have great head movement, you can wrestle. There’s a lot of ways things can play out. So, I just think about the worst-case scenario and get yourself mentally to a place where you are walking into that. Like, okay, I’m getting ready to go out there and this guy could possibly hurt me tonight.”

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Realistically Speaking, Jones might have a shot at beating Ngannou. His ability to keep fighters at range and dominate them on the ground gives him the edge over “The Predator.” The light heavyweight champion can also try to replicate what Stipe Miocic did in his fight against the heavyweight.

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“Francis Ngannou is dangerous, yes,” Jones continued. “I believe he has a chance to knock me the f–k out. Let’s say that out loud,” he explained. “But, if I don’t get knocked out, I believe I win that fight. I just gotta get through round one and I win that fight.”

As Jones said, the danger that Ngannou brings to the table cannot be ignored. One clean shot is all it takes to turn anybody’s lights out. In his last fight, Ngannou disposed of Jairzinho Rozentruik in 20 seconds.

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On the other hand, Jones secured a controversial decision win over Dominick Reyes. Many critics believe that he lost the fight against Reyes.

Should they fight, who do you think will win? Jon Jones or Francis Ngannou?

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Written by:

Shantanu Mayenkar

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