”If anyone should be criticized – it’s Francis Ngannou!”

Jon Jones (left) and Francis Ngannou (right). Photo: USA Today Sports

A heavyweight clash between former light heavyweight king Jon Jones and former UFC champion Francis Ngannou was topping many fans’ wish list.

However, the super fight between the two MMA giants never materialized, and now, Jones claims that Ngannou, not himself, is to blame.

“I don’t think I deserve any criticism,” Jones told RMC Sport. “I’m here. Francis had the opportunity to face me and he opted out of the opportunity. If anyone should be criticized, it’s Francis Ngannou. If I’m correct, he was offered the biggest contract in heavyweight history. He had the opportunity to be a guy to dethrone me. He didn’t believe in himself. Francis didn’t believe in himself. He wasn’t willing to gamble on himself.”

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Jon Jones: ”I’m not counting it out”

However, even though Francis Ngannou recently left the promotion, the former light heavyweight champion is not ruling out a future UFC fight with the ”Predator”.

“I felt bad for the fans. I know that would have been a massive fight for the fans,” Jones said.

“People from all around the world would have loved to see that event. And I’m not counting it out – I could see Francis going and fighting in boxing and doing whatever he’s going to do. I think he’s always going to be welcome back to the UFC. That’s always going to be a big, big fight, and I’ll be ready for him.”

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