Former UFC heavyweight champion, Stipe Miocic, is something of an expert when it comes to the heavy hitters in the 265-pound division, having faced both Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones at different points in his UFC career. Miocic defeated Ngannou at UFC 220 back in early 2018 but then fell to “The Predator” when they rematched at UFC 260 a couple of years later.
Miocic was subsequently stopped by Jones in his retirement fight at UFC 309.
“You know, [Ngannou has] got great power,” Miocic told The Schmo about a fantasy fight between Ngannou and Jones. “He’s getting better every fight. With Jones, he’s one of the best of all time, if not the best of all time. He’s just smart, real tricky. But with Francis, he always comes with a good game plan. He’s got thunder in his fists, so that’s a tough fight. I think Jon would keep his distance, do well, get him down to the ground. But if Francis connects, it’s all over.”
So who is the baddest man on the planet?
“I would go Francis, just because he’s tearing it up,” Miocic said. “He’s doing great with his boxing. I would go Francis.”
“Bones” was not surprised by the pick.
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“Of course,” Jones replied on Instagram.
Jones and Ngannou were in talks to compete under the UFC banner a couple of years back, but “Bones” bailed on the sport in protest of his pay scale and “The Predator” eventually set sail for boxing-friendly PFL. Jones would later return and capture the heavyweight crown and will (hopefully) defend it against Tom Aspinall later this year.