A mere 17 days into the new year and business is picking up for the UFC. UFC president Dana White recently disclosed that former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones will make his highly anticipated return to the UFC.
Bones is set to make his heavyweight debut and compete against the eminent striker the heavyweight division has to offer, Ciryl Gane. The announcement marks the official end of former UFC Heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou’s title reign.
While a great many believe that a clash between Jones and Ngannou would have certified the best heavyweight in martial arts currently, Ngannou’s exit has rendered any opportunity for that phenomenal matchup non-existent.
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Unfortunately for Jones, he is set to be caught in the crossfire between the UFC and Francis Ngannou. In the sense that if he walks away with a victory over Gane, critics will argue he hadn’t overcome the real heavyweight champion in Ngannou.
If he potentially suffers a defeat, an argument will arise that he was never a legitimate threat in the 265lbs division, anyway.
Nonetheless, fans will now be able to dwell on a hypothetical scenario where Jones and Ngannou battle each other, to provide them with some sense of content.
In fact, for further relief, Jones once even provided a response as to what he perceived competing against Ngannou would feel like.
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Jon Jones once explained the mindset he possessed if he were to fight Francis Ngannou.
Jon ‘Bones’ Jones is without a shadow of a doubt, the greatest mixed martial artist of all time. His ability to blend into petrifying situations, and deal with contemporary problems that arise in the octagon in a calm and composed manner, is unprecedented.
The 35-year-old, who is now eyeing the vacant and undisputed UFC heavyweight championship, once provided his insight on a prospective bout against former UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/oW1GMNQqzfw
Jones said:
“With Francis Ngannou it’s very simple. Get comfortable with the worst-case scenario. The worst-case scenario is he knocks you the f*** 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. If he doesn’t knock you out and break your face, your smart, your fast, you have a chin, you have great head movement, you can wrestle. There’s a lot of ways things can play out. If I don’t get knocked out I believe I win that fight. “
Jones’ statement is perhaps the most precise assessment of the mindset one requires if one were to compete against a fighter as formidable and distinctive as Ngannou.
The heavyweight debut of Jon Jones!
Jon Jones’ heavyweight debut will most certainly be a pleasant sight to witness for the UFC. His return is arriving at what happens to be the ideal time for the UFC, given their lack of PPV sales for 2022.
Not to mention, his comeback will be at a heavier weight class, against a prodigious striker, and to top it off, it will be his first fight in three years.
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Talk about taking a risk. Regardless of the outcome, the UFC faithful will be ecstatic to witness Jones mark his return to active competition.
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