The social media fight between UFC light heavyweight champion [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] and [autotag]Francis Ngannou[/autotag] continues to escalate.
The two men have been engaged in a war of words since last week. Just when it seemed for a moment that things might die down, Ngannou reignited the feud Tuesday when he tagged Jones in a tweet asking a simple question.
Hello Jonny are you still there? @JonnyBones pic.twitter.com/EWTVgai80X
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) May 19, 2020
Hello Jonny are you still there? @JonnyBones
It took until the evening, well after Ngannou’s tweet, but Jones fired back with a response.
First you can save the rest of your tongue pictures for your other homies and yes I’m right here, just waking up from watching that Derek Lewis fight again. You ain’t scaring nobody, I saw your heart. You’re a big old mouse, I’ll expose you https://t.co/F6FEcc4mGE
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) May 20, 2020
First you can save the rest of your tongue pictures for your other homies and yes I’m right here, just waking up from watching that Derek Lewis fight again. You ain’t scaring nobody, I saw your heart. You’re a big old mouse, I’ll expose you
Jones’ retort included a shot at Ngannou’s lackluster UFC 226 fight with Derrick Lewis in July 2018. That bout featuring two of the heavyweight’s premiere knockout artists failed to produce any fireworks and was considered a dud. Ngannou lost by unanimous decision and has since reeled off four straight first-round knockouts to reclaim top contender status.
In response to Jones’ mention of the Lewis fight, Ngannou said he “watched some tapes too” and included a screen shot of Jones running away from Dominick Cruz during their UFC 247 fight in February, which Jones won by controversial decision.
I watched some tapes too pic.twitter.com/EE1qb2Y5eY
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) May 20, 2020
Jones has flirted with moving up to heavyweight in recent years but has yet to pull the trigger. He’s been relentless on Twitter in his calls for a heavyweight fight with Ngannou, who would gladly welcome Jones to the division. Both men have agreed they would like to be paid properly in order for the mega-fight to come together.
UFC president Dana White said last week he’s not sure either man is serious about fighting the other.
How real is @JonnyBones vs. @Francis_Ngannou? Not very. Yet. 🤔
Full story: https://t.co/pm6FMUOd0L pic.twitter.com/GItQSyfMgw
— MMA Junkie (@MMAjunkie) May 17, 2020