SUMMARY
- Heavyweight stars Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou have an unexpected encounter at the 2023 PFL 5 event.
- The tense face-off sees Jones challenge Ngannou's combat skills, leading to a friendly back-and-forth exchange.
- Ngannou asserts his readiness to fight Jones, adding more anticipation for a potential future showdown.
The unfolding narrative between heavyweight titans Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou adds another page to its thrilling tale.
The two icons had an impromptu encounter at the 2023 PFL 5 event, hosted at Atlanta's Overtime Elite Arena on Friday. The PFL's recent signee, Ngannou, attended the competition to observe and lend insight into his new association during the live telecast. In contrast, Jones accompanied his comrade Maurice Greene, featuring in the event's main showdown.
The main event's culmination, which saw Greene yield to Ante Delija by unanimous decision, set the stage for a captivating, if slightly tense, faceoff between Jones and Ngannou. The encounter was marked by Jones' bold assertion, 'You don’t want no smoke,' as he gauged Ngannou's physical stature and readiness. The verbal spar between them ensued for a while.
In the course of their terse exchange, Jones challenged Ngannou's prowess in jiu-jitsu and wrestling. To this, Ngannou retorted that he has been primed for a bout against Jones for over a year. The verbal back-and-forth eventually concluded on a note of camaraderie, punctuated with broad smiles and a firm handshake.
This encounter, fleeting yet eventful, serves to stoke the flames of anticipation among fans and observers alike, eager for a showdown between these two titans of the heavyweight division.
WOM Money Picks
Be a part of the winning team | 81% Success Rate.