‘The Predator’ just made an interesting UFC 309 prediction. The pay-per-view top bill sees the return of both Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic. Although the legacy billing could end up being the banner’s first-ever double retirement, this matchup could be one for ages. Ex-UFC lineal heavyweight Francis Ngannou gives his long-overdue thoughts on the legacy fight.
Ngannou (17-3 MMA, 0-0 PFL, 0-2 boxing) meets Renan Ferreira in an MMA return during the ‘Battle of the Giants’ PPV Super Fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, the man everyone wanted Ngannou to fight while he was champ at UFC, Jones, fights next at UFC 309 against Miocic. G.O.A.T. Jones has been the natural option to win the 285-pound maiden defense. However, Ngannou differs.
Stipe hasn’t fought for three years — since we last fought, …So, I don’t really know where he is at, I don’t know how he is going to show up. I know he always show up good. All of those questions make me shift slightly to the Jones side, even though I feel the fight is half-half [50-50]…Stipe is a guy who is very committed when he shows up — he shows up in-full. So, if he shows up in-full, he can really surprise you, right? …wouldn’t be surprised if he wins.
Francis Ngannou on ‘The Ariel Helwani Show’ (@ArielHelwani) for MMAFighting on SBN
Miocic (20-4) returned to the mound to throw the first pitch for the Cleveland Guardians, who toppled the Chicago White Sox 7-6. While away, he has started camp. A 40+ fighter, out for three years and seven months, many thus opt him out from winning against ‘Bones’. The Cameroonian, who has history with him, disagrees. Ngannou went 1-1 with Stipe Miocic, losing to him at UFC 220 (2018), then KOing him at UFC 260 to claim the 265-pound crown.
Francis Ngannou shares his thoughts on Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic. #HelwaniShow pic.twitter.com/A9LXzyPRo8
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 14, 2024
With Jones, the pair circled around contractual rehashes in early 2020. But without fighters’ salary demands, Ngannou became a free agent and left UFC for good. A superfight between the giants has been a what-if for ages. Despite the sizeable betting favorite over Miocic (-410), Ngannou sees the fight going either way. Meanwhile, he also had some notions about his own fight.
Francis Ngannou claims Renan Ferreira is his toughest test yet
This Saturday, former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou returns to the fold for his PFL debut. He locks horns with fellow giant Renan Ferreira. Despite signing a multi-fight MMA deal with the PFL last year, the ex-UFC heavyweight king is yet to make a mark. That all changes this Saturday.
Ngannou took his talents to pro boxing, with one of them also in the Kingdom Arena. After dropping two boxing bouts despite prime performance capability, he is returning to his roots. Ngannou admitted that he felt he had arrived in Saudi Arabia too early in the build-up to his boxing bout. He won’t be making the same mistake this time around against the stylistically challenging Ferreira.
I think here they have the time and schedule proper and I don’t have to go to places and wait for hours before the event starts and before fight week starts, for example, this [interview] …a fight week obligation so I don’t have to show up somewhere and then wait for one hour or two hours…
Francis Ngannou further said
Francis sees himself as the underdog going into his fight with Renan Ferreira 👀
“It’s going to be one of my toughest fights.” @Francis_Ngannou#HelwaniShow pic.twitter.com/7BW7TtmMhe
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 14, 2024
‘The Predator’, who hasn’t fought in MMA since 2022, believes he is the underdog for the ‘Battle of the Giants’. Ferreira may not be a household name to the MMA clique. However, the Brazilian will be one of Ngannou’s toughest tests. After the PFL season heavyweight title in 2023, he racked up another win over Ryan Bader in February. Ngannou is still on his way to Saudi Arabia for a fight with the Brazilian heavyweight champ, but he is confident about his preparation.
