Jon Jones vs Francis Ngannou Who would win?

Let’s talk about who’s the baddest man on the planet:  Jon Jones or Francis Ngannou. It all started in 2020 when Jones, a big name in light heavyweight, said he was moving up to heavyweight. This got people excited, especially because around the same time, Ngannou was becoming a star, taking the heavyweight crown in March 2021.

The buzz got even louder in April 2021 when Jones and Ngannou had a fiery exchange on Twitter, hinting at a possible fight. But things took a turn when Ngannou left the title and joined PFL due to issues with the UFC.

Fast forward to August 2023, Jones made a powerful comeback after three years, winning the UFC Heavyweight Championship.

Both fighters said they’re up for a match, making fans dream about the showdown. But the problem is, they’re in different fighting organizations now, and the chances of them facing off are fading.

Still, the big question remains: If they did fight, who would win? Jones, known for precision and timing, or Ngannou, famous for his raw power?

Let’s talk about it and try to figure out the answer. Even though their face-off might not happen soon, imagining who’s the ultimate tough guy keeps fans excited.

Let’s jump into the discussion and break down the possibilities!

Striking comparison

Starting with Jon Jones, his striking game is known for its uniqueness and adaptability.With an incredible reach advantage, Jones uses his long limbs to keep opponents at a distance. He’s effective in maintaining this distance with stiff arms, jabs, and front kicks.

Jones’ footwork is impressive, allowing him to avoid being cornered and escape opponents chasing him.

However, he has shown vulnerability against tall and agile fighters who can bypass his reach. Despite this, his overall defensive technique, with a high guard and subtle head movement, earns him a impressive record.

Jon Jones Offensive Distancing

Moving to offensive distancing, Jones leverages his height and reach to perfection. He utilizes jabs, kicks, and the oblique kick to keep opponents at bay. His ability to control the cage and set up spinning back kicks showcases his offensive prowess. Jones excels in medium range, delivering devastating elbows and showcasing a diverse striking arsenal.

Jon Jones Offensive technique

In terms of offensive technique, Jones is dynamic and unpredictable. He throws flashy strikes and combinations, utilizing feints and grappling skills to set up his attacks. While he can be a bit linear at times, his ability to switch stances adds a layer of complexity to his striking game.

His well-rounded striking game, defensive skills, and adaptability make him a formidable opponent.

The Predator

Now, let’s shift our focus to Francis Ngannou. Known as “The Predator,” Ngannou is celebrated for his raw power and quick finishes. His aggressive style puts pressure on opponents, making him the aggressor in most exchanges.

Ngannou defensive distancing

Ngannou’s counter-punching is effective, acting as a deterrent against pressure fighters. However, he faces challenges with defensive distancing at kicking range, and his footwork is considered basic. Despite these weaknesses, not many heavyweights capitalize on them.

Durability is a crucial aspect, and Ngannou has showcased impressive resilience, especially considering most of his fights end quickly. His ability to absorb punishment is very impressive.

Francis Ngannou Offensive Striking

Moving to offensive abilities, Ngannou’s explosive speed and relentless footwork make him one of the fastest heavyweights. His optimal range is medium, where he can capitalize on his explosiveness. Despite some shortcomings in offensive distancing, Ngannou is a scary opponent for many fighters.

In terms of offensive technique, Ngannou has improved over the years. His powerful punches and devastating uppercut are his trademarks. While there’s room for improvement in efficiency, his raw power earns him a respect.

Overall Striking

Ngannou’s legendary power, with all wins coming by finish, earns him a perfect 10 in the power category. Despite some technical shortcomings, his raw power and explosiveness make him a force to be reckoned with in the heavyweight division.

In conclusion, both Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou bring unique strengths to the table. Jones excels in versatility and adaptability, while Ngannou relies on raw power and explosiveness. The outcome of their striking battle will depend on how well each fighter can exploit the weaknesses of the other.

Wrestling and Grappling

Comparing the wrestling and grappling abilities of Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou is a fascinating exploration, considering their distinct styles and strengths.

1. Takedown Defense:

Jon Jones is renowned for his exceptional takedown defense, utilizing a blend of reach, leverage, and technique. Ngannou’s defense relies heavily on cage work and upper body strength. In a bout, Jones might have an advantage in thwarting Ngannou’s attempts, given his historical prowess in this aspect.

2. Ground and Pound Defense:

Both fighters have demonstrated solid ground and pound defense. Jones, with his long limbs and elusive movements, tends to avoid significant damage on the ground. Ngannou, on the other hand, prioritizes getting back up swiftly. Jones may have the edge in terms of evading strikes on the ground.

3. Submission Defense:

While Ngannou has shown resilience against submission attempts, Jones has a more extensive history of defending against skilled grapplers. Jones’ versatility in submission defense might give him an advantage if the fight goes to the ground.

4. Takedown Offense:

Jones has a diverse takedown arsenal, using trips, throws, and even catching opponents off-guard. Ngannou’s recent improvements in takedown offense, especially his powerbomb slam against Gane, are noteworthy. However, Jones’ experience and varied techniques might make him more unpredictable in securing takedowns.

5. Ground and Pound Offense:

Jones has displayed effective ground and pound throughout his career, using elbows and punches with precision. Ngannou, with his explosive power, can be devastating on the ground. The outcome would hinge on Ngannou’s ability to land impactful strikes and Jones’ strategy in minimizing damage.

6. Submission Offense:

Jones has a more established submission game, having secured wins via submissions in the past. Ngannou, while showcasing creativity in early career submissions, might not pose the same level of threat. Jones could potentially capitalize on submission opportunities more effectively.

Who would win a wrestling match?

In a wrestling and grappling bout between Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou, the outcome is highly contingent on various factors. If Jones can maintain distance, employ his versatile takedown game, and avoid Ngannou’s devastating power, he may secure a grappling advantage.

Ngannou, with his recent improvements and knockout power, poses a constant threat.

Considering the well-rounded skill set, experience, and versatility, Jon Jones would likely have the upper hand in a wrestling and grappling contest. However, the unpredictability of MMA makes it essential to acknowledge Ngannou’s knockout potential, which could shift the dynamics of the bout.

Cardio Comparison

Cardio Comparison: Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou

Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou showcase distinct differences in their cardio performance during fights.

Jon Jones:

Average Fight Time: Jon Jones maintains an average fight time of 14 minutes and 53 seconds.

Five-Round Experience: Jones has completed 8 five-round fights, indicating his endurance and ability to perform well in longer contests.

Enduring Reputation: Known for his excellent cardio and endurance, Jones’s fighting style allows him to maintain a high pace throughout extended periods.

Francis Ngannou:

Punch Output and Cardio: Ngannou tends to throw a significant number of punches during early rounds, which can impact his energy and cardio.

Training with Mike Tyson: Ngannou’s training with Mike Tyson for the Tyron Fury boxing bout has contributed to improving his pacing and punch selection.

Heavyweight Muscles and Gas Tank: Being a heavyweight with substantial muscle mass, Ngannou faces challenges with his gas tank, potentially leading to quicker fatigue.

Early Knockout Strategy: Ngannou’s ideal win scenario is an early knockout, leveraging his explosive punching power before cardio becomes a significant factor.

Struggles in Longer Fights: Ngannou’s poor gas tank was evident in his fight against Stipe Miocic at UFC 220, where he gassed out and struggled against prolonged offense.

Learning from Past Matches: Ngannou recognizes the need for improved cardio, emphasizing longer stints of internal cardio to enhance recovery and endurance.

Recent Struggles: In his last UFC fight against Ciryl Gane, Ngannou faced cardio issues as he couldn’t finish his opponent and gassed out, relying on a backup wrestling gameplan due to energy limitations.

Conclusion:

While Jon Jones is recognized for his consistent cardio and ability to perform well in longer fights, Francis Ngannou, a heavyweight powerhouse, acknowledges the importance of enhancing his endurance.

Ngannou’s explosive style favors early knockouts, and improvements in cardio could further solidify his position in the heavyweight division. The contrasting approaches of the two fighters reflect the unique challenges posed by their stamina and individual fighting styles.

Chin Comparison

Chin Comparison: Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou

Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou exhibit remarkable resilience in their ability to absorb strikes, showcasing their durability in the octagon.

Jon Jones:

Never Been Knocked Out: Throughout his career, Jon Jones has never been knocked out, highlighting his exceptional durability.

Limited Signs of Damage: In exchanges with powerful strikers like Lyoto Machida, Alexander Gustafsson, and Daniel Cormier, Jones displayed limited signs of being compromised or seriously hurt.

Clinch Exchange with Cormier: Despite a bloody nose and frustration, Jones did not exhibit significant changes in behavior during a clinch exchange with Cormier.

Absorbing Head and Body Strikes: Jones has consistently shown the ability to absorb head and body strikes without substantial impact on his performance.

Effective Defense: Jones often rolls with strikes effectively, statistically absorbing fewer significant strikes than many other fighters in his division.

Historical Size Advantage: As one of the biggest light heavyweights in the division’s history, Jones has faced powerful strikes from top contenders, indicating his resilience.

Francis Ngannou:

Counter Strikes from Rozenstruik: Ngannou absorbed counter strikes from Jairzinho Rozenstruik, a skilled striker, and managed to secure a knockout victory, showcasing his ability to withstand powerful punches.

Enduring Spinning Kick: Francis Ngannou took a spinning kick to the head from Cyril Gane without significant impact, demonstrating his resilience against various striking techniques.

Chin Tested by Stipe: In the first Stipe Miocic fight, where Stipe landed clean shots, Ngannou displayed a sturdy chin, barely flinching despite the onslaught.

Conclusion:

Both Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou demonstrate exceptional chins in the UFC, withstanding powerful strikes from formidable opponents.

Jones’s ability to roll with strikes and absorb minimal damage, coupled with his historical size advantage, contributes to his reputation for durability.

Ngannou’s resilience against counter strikes, spinning kicks, and clean shots from elite heavyweights positions him as a fighter with one of the best chins in the UFC.

The contrast in their weight classes adds intrigue, as Jon Jones’s  move to heavyweight prompts curiosity about his chin’s performance against more powerful punchers. Ultimately, both fighters exhibit impressive durability, making a definitive prediction challenging in a hypothetical bout.

Power Comparison

Power Comparison: Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou

When comparing the power of Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou, it becomes evident that both fighters possess unique strengths and styles in delivering damage.

Jon Jones

KO/TKO Record: Jon Jones boasts 10 KO/TKO victories, primarily occurring in grounded contexts.

Versatility in Striking: Jones exhibits diverse striking skills, including spinning elbows, high kicks, and damage-inflicting strikes to the body.

Notable Striking Moments: While Jones has rocked opponents with various strikes, he lacks one-punch or one-strike finishing power.

Strikes to the Body: Despite landing powerful spinning back kicks and other body shots, Jones has yet to drop anyone with these strikes.

Leg Attacks: Jones has not rendered opponents immobile with leg kicks, despite clean and impactful connections.

Level of Competition: Jones’ power is assessed in the context of competing against the toughest fighters in the 205-pound division, showcasing his ability to inflict superficial damage.

Francis Ngannou :

Extraordinary Power: Ngannou is renowned for his extraordinary power, with punches equivalent to 96 horsepower.

Record Holder: Ngannou set the record for the hardest punch in the world in 2018, registering impressive power on a PowerKube machine.

Powerful Strikes: His overhand right strike recorded a power of 129,161 units, showcasing unparalleled strength.

Speed Power: Ngannou’s speed power measured 51,064 foot-pounds per second, comparable to a family wagon’s horsepower.

Combat Sports Record: Ngannou is recognized as the hardest-hitting fighter in all combat sports, reflecting his herculean strength.

Comparison with Eddie Hall: Former World’s Strongest Man Eddie Hall attempted to break Ngannou’s record but fell short, further solidifying Ngannou’s exceptional punching power.

Overall Power Score for Ngannou: Highest rating, emphasizing his extraordinary strength and world-record-breaking capabilities.

Conclusion:

While Jon Jones demonstrates a moderate ability to inflict damage, his power is not primarily centered around one-shot knockouts.

In contrast, Francis Ngannou stands out as an unparalleled force in combat sports, holding records for the hardest punch in the world and showcasing extraordinary power equivalent to 96 horsepower.

Ngannou’s striking prowess, especially his ability to deliver devastating punches, establishes him as a heavyweight powerhouse with unmatched strength.

In a power comparison, Ngannou’s exceptional abilities make him a formidable force against any opponent, setting him apart in the realm of combat sports.