Jon Jones vs Francis Ngannou: Betting Odds and Predictions

Author ImageAuthor: | Last Updated: October 2024
francis ngannou

You can wager on a potential once-in-a-lifetime fight with the newest Jones vs Ngannou odds. Fans missed out on a Heavyweight fight between Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou in the UFC. After Ngannou’s dominant win in his PFL debut, rumors of a Jones-Ngannou super fight have circulated again. 

Keep reading to see how a potential Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou matchup could come to fruition. I will highlight the latest odds for this dream Heavyweight MMA matchup at top MMA betting sites and give my predictions for Jones vs. Ngannou.

Jones vs Ngannou Odds Breakdown

Here are the early Ngannou vs. Jones odds, courtesy of BetUS Sportsbook.

FighterJones vs. Ngannou Odds
Francis Ngannou-110
Jon Jones-130

Francis Ngannou (18-3) is a slight underdog at -110 in the early odds for this Heavyweight matchup. BetUS has Jon Jones (27-1) as the -130 favorite for this potential matchup.

Jones has more experience in MMA and has been fighting for longer. He made his pro debut in 2008, five years before Ngannou debuted in 2013. Despite this, Jones is a year younger than Ngannou.  However, most of Jones’ career was spent fighting at Light Heavyweight, and a Francis Ngannou vs. Jon Jones matchup would almost assuredly happen at Heavyweight.

Francis Ngannou (-110)

Francis Ngannou is one of the biggest “what ifs” in UFC history. The power puncher quickly rose to prominence in the UFC, earning a 12-2 record in the promotion. He ended his career in the UFC as the Heavyweight champion and on a six-fight win streak.

After parting ways with the UFC, Ngannou ventured into boxing. He nearly knocked out Tyson Fury before losing in a controversial decision. Ngannou lost to Anthony Joshua in his next fight before returning to MMA.

In his PFL debut, Ngannou defeated Renan Ferreira in the first round via ground and pound. His last loss in MMA came in 2018, and Ngannou’s time in the boxing ring has helped him refine his striking skills. Ngannou’s grappling skills have also improved, making him a threat on the feet and the ground.

Jon Jones (-130)

Widely considered the greatest of all time, Jon Jones has never been knocked out, submitted, or lost a decision in MMA. His one career loss came via disqualification for a 12-6 elbow, a move that is now legal under the Unified MMA rules.

Legal troubles and other personal issues cost Jones years of his career and cut his prime short. He has also struggled in his recent UFC appearances, such as his split decision win over Thiago Santos. Jones’ unanimous decision win over Dominick was also controversial.

In his most recent appearance in the Octagon, Jones submitted Ciryl Gane in the first round. It was Jones’s first fight at Heavyweight, and he won the vacant Heavyweight title. His prime may be behind him, but Jones still has the skills to beat the top talent in the UFC.

Jones vs. Ngannou Analysis

There are many hurdles a potential Jon Jones vs. Ngannou fight would have to clear. Ngannou is now in the PFL, and UFC President Dana White is seemingly against the fight. Strategy things have happened, though, and many of the challenges preventing this fight could be set aside in the name of making a profit.

Before you decide to be on the updated Jones vs. Ngannou odds, consider how these legendary fighters stack up against one another. Their measurables, common opponents, and fighting styles are all factors to consider.

Measurables

StatJon JonesFrancis Ngannou
Record27-1, 1 NC18-3
Age37 years old38 years old
Height6’4”6’4”
Reach84.5”83.0”
Knockouts1012
Submissions75
Decision wins101

Common Opponents

MMA math is not always accurate, but how two fighters faired against common opponents can provide insight into how they will match against each other. Jones and Ngannou’s careers overlapped for just over six years in the UFC.

Jones also spent most of his career fighting at 205 pounds and has just one fight at Heavyweight in MMA. As a result, Jones and Ngannou have only one common opponent: Cyril Gane. Ngannou, in his last UFC fight, beat Gane by unanimous decision, while Jones submitted Gane in the first round.

Stipe Miocic could join the list of common opponents between Jones and Ngannou. Miocic faced Ngannou twice, beating him by UD at UFC 220 in their first fight. Ngannou then knocked Miocic out in the second round during their rematch at UFC 260.

Miocic, 42, has not fought since that knockout loss. However, he is scheduled to come out of retirement to face Jones for the Heavyweight title in the main event of UFC 309. Beating a 42-year-old Miocic will not be as impressive as Ngannou’s win at UFC 260, but it would still be an accomplishment for Jones in his second Heavyweight fight.

Power vs. Technical Skills

Ngannou has scary knockout power, even by heavyweight standards. His technical striking skills have also improved a lot in recent years. However, Jones still has the edge on the feet if he can avoid Ngannou’s power shots.

Avoiding Ngannou’s strikes is easier said than done, though. He has knocked out other skilled strikers, including Alistair Overeem and Stipe Miocic, proving Ngannou only needs one shot to end the fight. He also nearly knocked out Tyson Fury, one of the best strikers in heavyweight boxing.

Jones has 10 knockout wins in his MMA career, but he is hardly a knockout artist like Ngannou. His skills as a striker, though, are unquestioned. If anyone can avoid Ngannou’s power shots for 25 minutes, it is Jones.

Grappling

Ngannou’s lack of grappling skills cost him in his first fight against Miocic. Since then, Ngannou’s grappling has improved significantly. However, Jones’ wrestling skills are legendary, and he should have the advantage on the ground in this fight.

Jones took down Daniel Cormier, an Olympic medal-winning wrestler. He also showed in his last fight that Jones’ takedown skills translate well to Heavyweight. Jones easily took down Gane before submitting him in the first round of their fight at UFC 285.

Ngannou will also be at a disadvantage in terms of grappling. He only had one submission win in his UFC career, while Jones has had six. 

Predictions – What to Expect in Jon Jones vs Ngannou

It is challenging to predict what would happen if Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou. BetUS has Jones favored in the latest Jones vs. Ngannou odds. Jones is arguably the greatest MMA fighter of all time, but his prime is clearly behind him.

Ngannou, on the other hand, is technically older but has been more active than Jones and is still in his prime. His best chance to win this hypothetical matchup is to knock Jones out. The longer the fight goes, though, the more it favors Jones.

Anthony Joshua recently knocked out Ngannou in their boxing match, but I doubt Jones has the power to repeat that feat. However, Jones’ skills as a striker should help him avoid the worst of Ngannou’s strikes. If he can out-point Ngannou or take him down, Jones (-130) should win this fight. 

  • Prediction: Jones Defeats Ngannou -130

Betting Tips for Ngannou vs Jones

Picking a winner in a fight that is not scheduled yet is challenging but possible. Here are three tips to help you get the most out of betting on a Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou fight.

  • Watch previous fights: Jones and Ngannou have had 50 combined fights in their careers, so there is plenty of tape to watch to gain stylistic insights for this fight.
  • Use sports betting bonuses: The odds for Jones vs. Ngannou are close, and rightfully so. This can make it challenging to find significant betting value, but you can create value by using sports betting bonuses to place larger bets.
  • Diversify your bets using prop wagers: betting on props is a great way to hedge your bets on huge fights with close betting odds. If and when props for Jones vs. Ngannou are released, wagering these markets can help diversify your betting ticket and minimize your risk.

Will You Bet on Jones vs. Ngannou Odds?

The early Jones vs. Ngannou odds give MMA fans the opportunity to wager on a once-in-a-lifetime showdown between two of the scariest fighters in history. Jon Jones has never been defeated, and Francis Ngannou has the power to knock out anyone with one punch. Check out the guide above for the current odds and my picks for this potential Heavyweight fight.

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About the Author

Shaun Stack is a senior writer at GamblingSites.org. His gambling articles have appeared in the Daily Herald, Space Coast Daily, and NJ 101.5. He’s a football betting expert, a Survivor fan, and a skilled blackjack gambler. Shaun is a native of Kansas City but now lives in Pennsylvania and follows the Pittsburgh Steelers religiously.