A potential matchup between Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones just got a lot more personal.
Ngannou, the UFC heavyweight champion, and Jones, a former light heavyweight titleholder, traded jabs on social media Friday and Saturday.
The exchange started with Jones vowing to "break" Ngannou unless he got knocked out.
Pray you knock me out because if you don’t I’m going to break you, and that’s a promise @francis_ngannou
— BONY (@JonnyBones) May 1, 2021
Ngannou reminded Jones that most of his fights in the past seven years went the distance and seemed to make light of the fact that Jones' last win - which came against Dominick Reyes in February 2020 - was a controversial decision.
Please don't make me laugh 🥱!
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) May 1, 2021
When is the last time that you break somebody out? 🤔 https://t.co/XpFZhrVLcp
You're a decision fighter @JonnyBones and you've barely won a fight lately.
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) May 1, 2021
But you're going to break me out 😂
Jones unloaded on Ngannou after his "decision fighter" comments, calling the heavyweight champ - who is best known for his devastating knockout power - a "one-trick pony."
A decision fighter? I carried the record for most submissions in the light heavyweight division for many years my friend. You are what we call a one trick pony @francis_ngannou every champion I’ve ever faced punched hard. I see right through you
— BONY (@JonnyBones) May 1, 2021
I would rather be a decision fighter than a last for two rounds fighter 🤷🏾♂️
— BONY (@JonnyBones) May 1, 2021
Ngannou-Jones is one of the biggest fights the UFC could book right now, but it's unclear whether it will be the next heavyweight title fight.
The promotion seems to be heading in the direction of a rematch between Ngannou and top heavyweight contender Derrick Lewis instead, with UFC president Dana White seemingly unwilling to meet Jones' price for the title bout.