Jon Jones picks winner of upcoming Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira PFL heavyweight title fight
Francis Ngannou and Renan Ferreira are not scheduled to fight for another two months, but Jon Jones is already making his early prediction. The two heavyweights are scheduled to headline the PFL Super Fights pay-per-view card on Oct. 19.
The official fight announcement came on Aug. 7 but the matchup was essentially confirmed on Feb. 24 when Ferreira knocked out Ryan Bader to win the PFL Super Fights heavyweight championship. The title will be on the line in October as Ngannou makes his long-awaited PFL debut.
Jones offered his thoughts on the matchup as the incumbent UFC heavyweight champion. Unsurprisingly, 'Bones' picked against his longtime rival and said he will be "putting money" on Ferreira.
Jones commented:
"I think I'm putting my money [on] the Brazilian"
![Jon Jones predicting the winner of Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira. [via @sportscenter on Instagram]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/08/b2d88-17244435011980-1920.jpg?w=500)
According to the sportsbooks that currently have odds out on the fight, Ngannou is a heavy favorite to win the fight despite not competing in MMA since January 2022. 'The Predator' has not lost a fight in the cage since his infamous fight with Derrick Lewis in 2018, before becoming the first active UFC champion to leave the promotion since BJ Penn in 2004.
Jon Jones' history with Francis Ngannou
Even with history suggesting that Francis Ngannou will outmatch Renan Ferreira in the smart cage, Jon Jones' strained relationship with the Cameroonian makes his prediction understandable. Jones and Ngannou were long expected to fight each other in the UFC once the former announced his intention to move up to the heavyweight division but could not get both sides to sign.
Since Ngannou's move to the PFL, both sides have accused each other of avoiding the fight. Dana White recently resurfaced the debate by placing blame on Ngannou, who responded at his recent PFL press conference.
The two rivals have come face-to-face on multiple occasions since Ngannou's unceremonious departure from the UFC, only further teasing fans of the missed opportunity.