UFC News: Jon Jones Sends Stern Warning To Francis Ngannou

As his UFC heavyweight debut looms, Jon Jones has reminded Francis Ngannou of one thing about being a champion.

Jones has not fought under the UFC banner since outclassing Dominick Reyes in February 2020 at UFC 247. The former longtime UFC light heavyweight champion is expected to finally move up to the heavyweight division soon, and he has been very vocal about it on social media.

In one of his most recent tweets, “Bones” took a jab at his rumored UFC heavyweight opponent, Ngannou. According to Jones, Ngannou needs to be able to “defend” his title first before he can consider himself a true champion.

“Remember you’re not a champ until you defend that title, be careful what you wish for,” Jones wrote on his tweet, tagging Ngannou’s official Twitter account.

Ngannou is already being slated for a title fight against Derrick Lewis. However, “The Predator” recently admitted that he is still looking forward to a heavyweight clash against Jones.

“I want Jon Jones. Oh, definitely,” Ngannou told TMZ Sports. “I don’t care about what the talks say. I would love that fight. I love that fight.”

Brimming with confidence, Ngannou insisted that he has the “size” and strength to take out Jones.

“I have some size, too,” the champ assessed. “I’m strong, too. I’m impressed [with Jones], I know he’s very skilled, very talented, but we are both men.”

“Absolutely,” he said of knocking Jones out. “[The round] doesn’t matter.”

Jones has been the third wheel in Ngannou’s next fight. To ensure he will be handed a superfight with the champ, the 33-year-old brought in veteran boxing promoter Richard Schaefer to help in the negotiations.

Fortunately for Jones, UFC president Dana White is positive about working with Schaefer, hinting the said fight may finally come to fruition.

“I like Richard Schaefer and I respect the guy,” White earlier said. “I’ve known him for a long time. He’s a real guy. He’s a guy who gets deals done.”

Schaefer, meanwhile, assured that Jones is the type of fighter who is down to “fight anyone” and “likes to challenge himself.”

According to Schaefer, he just needs to have a serious talk with White and the Ngannou vs. Jones fight will surely progress.

“I’ve always had a good relationship with Dana [White],” Schaefer explained. “We sort of like the same people in boxing and we hate the same people in boxing. Besides that, we’ve always respected each other.”

“It’s just a matter of sitting down with Dana, which I will do, and find a way to structure a deal which nobody will be happy with but everybody can live with,” he continued.