Francis Ngannou warns fans not to dismiss Stipe Miocic. Jon Jones vs. Miocic -- the greatest UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight champions, respectively -- headline UFC 295 on Nov. 11 with Jones' newly won heavyweight title at stake.
Ngannou is preparing for a spectacle boxing crossover fight against Tyson Fury in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday, but he remains uniquely tethered to the UFC heavyweight division. Ngannou parted from UFC in January over contract disputes. The lineal UFC heavyweight champion vacated his title on his exit, a title Jones retrieved in a steamrolling heavyweight debut against Ciryl Gane. Jones is expected to retain his title against Miocic, according to oddsmakers, but Ngannou has faith in his two-time opponent.
"I would pick Stipe," Ngannou told CBS Sports. "Stylistically, Stipe. I fought Stipe twice. Stipe doesn't get the credit he deserves. Obviously, I won the second time but I know that I could have even lost that time. I know how good of a fighter he is. He fought [Daniel Cormier] three times and you can see how he fought.
"This is also a different weight class for Jon Jones. This is heavyweight and I think it's slightly different than light heavyweight. I agree that Jon Jones is the best at light heavyweight, but I think at heavyweight he definitely will be challenged."
Check out the full interview with Francis Ngannou below.
Ngannou defeated Miocic via second-round knockout to capture the UFC heavyweight title in March 2021, avenging a one-sided decision loss to Miocic in 2018. Miocic, the record holder for most UFC heavyweight title defenses, has not fought since.
