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Jon Jones Calls out UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou on Twitter

Paul KasabianSenior ContributorMay 1, 2021

Jon Jones climbs onto the fence immediately after a light heavyweight mixed martial arts bout against Dominick Reyes at UFC 247 Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Michael Wyke/Associated Press

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and current heavyweight title holder Frances Ngannou have been jawing back and forth on Twitter in recent days, which continued Saturday.

Francis Ngannou @francis_ngannou

I shouldn’t have to motivate you Jonny...if it’s not in you already you’ve already lost. I know my motivation 🌍 https://t.co/YzPZgimlWR

BONY @JonnyBones

Oh you know what’s inside of me @francis_ngannou you’ve never seen me quit

BONY @JonnyBones

Pray you knock me out because if you don’t I’m going to break you, and that’s a promise @francis_ngannou

Jones, 33, is moving up to the heavyweight division after years of dominance at light heavyweight. He's gone 26-1 (one no-contest) in his professional career, with his only loss coming via disqualification for illegal downward elbows in 2009 to Matt Hamill. Otherwise, he's defeated every man he's faced in the Octagon.

Ngannou won the heavyweight belt off Stipe Miocic via second-round knockout at UFC 260 in March. He had previously lost to Miocic in a heavyweight title fight back in Jan. 2018 at UFC 220.

The 34-year-old is on a roll now, however, winning five straight to go to 16-3 overall and finding himself atop the heavyweight rankings.

Jones has his sights set on him, though, and an epic match between the two fighters likely awaits.