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Jon Jones is liking his chances against Francis Ngannou.
After failed negotiations, Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou won’t be happening any time soon. For now, all the possibilities are realized through mere conversations, just like the most recent one Jones had with Steve-O at the “Wild Ride!” podcast.
Just like any sane fighter in the roster today, “Bones” recognizes the risks involving a bout with “The Predator.”
“With Francis Ngannou, it is very simple. Get comfortable with the worst-case scenario,” Jones said (transcript by BJPenn.com). “The worst-case scenario he knocks you the f—k out, he possibly fractures a bone in your face. That is the worst-case scenario, you get real comfortable with that idea, and then it becomes easy.
“If he doesn’t knock you out and break your face, you are smart, fast, you have a chin, you have great head movement, you can wrestle,” he continued. “There are a lot of ways things can play out. So, I just think about the worst-case scenario.
“[Just] 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.”
For Jones, it is all about getting past the opening round.
“Francis Ngannou is dangerous, yes, and I believe he has a chance to knock me the f—k out,” he said. “Let’s say that out loud. But, if I don’t get knocked out, I believe I win that fight. I just have to get through round one and I win that fight.”
Apart from the Ngannou fight talk, Jones isn’t too keen on making a walk to the Octagon for the foreseeable future. He says he is willing to sit out the next two or three years until the UFC comes forward with a favorable deal for him.