Jones backs Ngannou in AJ fight…but thinks MMA rival will lose
JON JONES gave his shocked support to Francis Ngannou but is still backing Anthony Joshua to beat his MMA rival.
Ngannou faces AJ in Saudi Arabia on March 8, after making his professional boxing debut against Tyson Fury in October.
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The Cameroonian made the switch to boxing after quitting the UFC and receiving a $10 million (£8 million) offer to fight Jones.
Instead, he signed for the Professional Fighters League, which gave Ngannou the freedom he always wanted from boxing.
Jones joined the heavyweight cage in Riyadh for the PFL vs Bellator event and he was examined during the boxing fight with AJ.
And Jones replied, “I’m rooting for Francis to win just because of his story, how far he’s come in life and as a fellow mixed martial artist.
“So I support Francis, but Anthony Joshua has been doing this since he was a young boy and I’m the type of guy who just gives respect where it’s due.
“So if I were to put my money on it – not that I’m betting – I’d put it on Anthony Joshua, but I support Francis.”
Ngannou, 37, stunningly dropped Fury, 35, but still suffered a controversial split-decision loss.
Although the performance was enough to put Joshua, 34, on the table for another big crossover clash in the desert.
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Meanwhile, Jones, 36, is dealing with a chest injury that forced him out of his UFC title fight against Stipe Miocic, 41, in November.
He has since been called up by interim champion and British star Tom Aspinall, 30, with the PFL open to a cross-promotion to fight Ngannou.
But Jones said diplomatically, “I feel like there are a lot of fights that the world is longing for right now.
“The fight with Tom Aspinall is still huge, Francis Ngannou and I would be huge.
“And Stipe, for the hardcore fans, he’s still a respectable opponent. I don’t know how the cards will fall.
“My prediction is that I would beat Stipe Miocic, my prediction is that I would beat Tom Aspinall and Francis Ngannou.
“The way it unfolds is really none of my business. My job is to always do what I’ve done from day one.”