Jon Jones ‘finds himself better battles on Twitter than the octagon’, mocks Francis Ngannou as he insists the UFC ‘can wait a year’ for the next title defence while he is out injured
- Francis Ngannou will be out of action for most of the year with a knee injury
- His future in the UFC is up in the air anyway amid an ongoing contract dispute
- Fans want to see the heavyweight champion take on Jon Jones in next fight
- He said: ‘Actually, he finds himself a better battle on Twitter than in the octagon.’
Jon Jones has a ‘better battle on Twitter than in the octagon’, according to UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.
Ngannou is likely to be out of action until 2023 with a knee injury and could well leave the organisation to become a free agent.
But if he agrees a new deal with Dana White and Co, a fight with Jones could be on the agenda.
Francis Ngannou is doubtful over whether Jon Jones actually wants to fight
Jones has his own issues with the UFC and has not fought for two years since vacating his light-heavyweight belt to move up.
In spite of his inactivity, he still regularly posts on social media and Ngannou quipped: ‘I think the first thing we have to know is if Jon Jones is going to fight or not.
He told the IT’S TIME podcast: ‘Because actually, he finds himself a better battle on Twitter than in the octagon.’
Ngannou revealed he has a torn MCL and damaged ACL after beating Ciryl Gane in the main event of UFC 270.
The American has been out of action for two years since he vacated the light-heavyweight belt
Ciryl Gane suffered defeat by Ngannou, who has a torn knee and is due to have surgery
He is likely to undergo surgery in march and the usual recovery time is between eight and 10 months from that point.
There is a possibility the UFC could try to move the division on without him but he believes it should not be a problem.
Ngannou added: ‘The past has shown that in the heavyweight division, they can wait for a year for a title defense.
‘We’ve been having one title defense [per year] in the heavyweight division for a long time, so I don’t think that’s the issue.’