Francis Ngannou calls out Jon Jones, Jake Paul following knockout win over Philipe Lins

On Saturday night, MMA fans were able to witness a great sight: Francis Ngannou back in the cage. He was able to defeat Philipe Lins inside the first round during the Rousey vs. Carano card. 

After the fight, ringside reporter Ariel Helwani asked Ngannou about his future fight prospects. Two named came up.

Jon “Bones” Jones and Jake Paul. 

It seemed like the Cameroonian had his preference for who he wanted to fight more, but each of the fights would have difficulties before becoming official. Jones is still technically under contract with the UFC despite retiring.

Here’s what Ngannou said to Jones and Paul, and whether a fight can even be possible.

MORE: Live updates from the Rousey vs. Carano card

What did Francis Ngannou say about Jon Jones

After his first-round knockout victory over Lins, Ngannou got the mic for his post-fight interview. During the mic session, Helwani pointed out Jones standing up from his broadcast section, and asked Ngannou for his thoughts on Jones. The Cameroonian MMA fighter went on to call Jones out.

Ngannou shared his desire to share the cage with Jones one time before the two retire from MMA. Here’s what Ngannou said:

“He should be watching what I’m doing and learn,” said Ngannou. “Figure it out and come make this fight.”

While Ngannou is not a part of the UFC anymore due to a 2023 contract dispute, according to ESPN, Jones is still technically under contract with Dana White’s company. In order for Ngannou and Jones to square off, either Ngannou would have to be reinstated into the UFC, which is unlikely, or Jones would have to get out of his UFC contract.

MORE: Check out Robelis Despaigne’s brutal knockout on Junior dos Santos

What did Francis Ngannou say about Jake Paul?

The Cameroonian also had some choice words for the Most Valuable Promotions co-founder. According to Ngannou, Paul was not running MVP and that he was just a “blah blah blah guy.” Here is a portion of the interview with Helwani.

Two minutes into the following tweet, Ngannou called Paul a boy. He was hesitant to say that he wanted to fight the Ohio native, and the Cameroonian sounded much less excited to fight Paul over Jones.

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Will Francis Ngannou fight Jon Jones

Ngannou has two routes in order to get a fight with “Bones” Jones. First, Ngannou can go the unlikely route of revitalizing contract talks with the UFC. This has a very low shot of working and is far from realistic.

The other route would be Jones finding a way out of his contract. On the broadcast after Ngannou shared his words directed at Jones, Bones shared that he has to “focus on getting out of” his UFC contract. While it sounded like he desired to eventually escape his contract, he revealed it wouldn’t be easy. Here is what Jones said: 

The UFC generally does not allow their fighters to appear in other MMA events. Therefore, Jones will need to get out of his deal with White’s organization if he really wants to fight Ngannou in a Most Valuable Promotions card.

MORE: What to know about Conor McGregor’s upcoming return to the UFC

Will Francis Ngannou fight Jake Paul

It remains to be seen whether or not Ngannou and Paul will actually have a chance to square off. The Cameroonian did not seem as excited to square off across from Paul as he was from Jones.

Paul said that maybe he could box Ngannou, but it may be hard as the promoter as Most Valuable Promotions. The Ohioan brought up this conversation at the three-minute mark of this tweet. Ngannou is also much lager than Paul. 

Francis Ngannou MMA record

After his knockout win on May 16, Ngannou’s MMA record sits at 19-3-0 (14-0 KO/TKO, 4-0 SUB), according to ESPN. The Cameroonian is currently on an eight-fight win streak.

Ngannou’s last loss came in July 2018 during UFC 228. He lost unanimously via decision to Derrick Lewis. Just prior to that fight, he lost the heavyweight championship fight to Stipe Miocic, also via unanimous decision.

His last fight in the UFC was a win against Ciryl Gane during the heavyweight division title fight in 2022 during UFC 270.

How old is Francis Ngannou

As of May 16, Ngannou is 39 years old. The MMA fighter was born on September 5, 1986.

“The Predator” was born in Batié, Cameroon, and he spent his early life there before traveling to Europe.