'Sorry, Francis': Jon Jones rooting for Ngannou, but picking Anthony Joshua

Jon Jones doesn’t see Francis Ngannou beating Anthony Joshua.

Ngannou (0-1) takes on former heavyweight boxing champ Joshua (27-3, 24 KOs) in a 10-round match March 8 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Heavyweight champion Jones (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) and Ngannou were on a collision course before Ngannou opted to leave the UFC and sign with PFL. Rivalry aside, Jones hopes Ngannou wins, but doesn’t think it happens.

“I’m rooting for Francis to win only because of his story, how far he’s come in life, him being a fellow mixed martial artist,” Jones said during Saturday’s PFL vs. Bellator: Champions event. “How could you not root for Francis? Francis is a wonderful, stand-up person, so I’m rooting for Francis.

“But Anthony Joshua, he’s been doing this since he was a young boy, and I’m the type of guy that just gives respect where it’s due. If I personally had to put my money on it, not that I gamble, I would put it on Anthony Joshua. But I am rooting for Francis Ngannou. Sorry, Francis.”

Jones is expected to have his fight with Stipe Miocic rebooked once he recovers from surgeries on a torn pectoral muscle and left elbow. UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has called him out numerous times, but Jones is confident he’d get his hand raised against anyone – including former champ Ngannou.

“I feel like there’s a lot of fights that the world wants right now,” Jones said. “The Tom Aspinall fight still, that’s really massive. Francis Ngannou and I would be really massive, and Stipe (Miocic) to the hardcore fans, it’s still a respectable opponent.

“I don’t know how the cards are going to fall. My prediction is that I will beat Stipe Miocic. My prediction is I will beat Tom Aspinall and Francis Ngannou. The way that it unfolds is really not my business. My job is just to do what I’ve always done since Day 1.”