Brandon Gibson: Clinch work and wrestling give Jon Jones the edge against Francis Ngannou

Brandon Gibson thinks Jon Jones’ well-rounded game would be the difference-maker in a potential Francis Ngannou superfight.

UFC light heavyweight champion Jones (26-1 MMA, 20-1 UFC) has expressed interest in moving up to face the heavyweight division’s scariest knockout artist, who was quick to accept the challenge as the pair publicly exchanged messages on social media.

Ngannou (15-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) has brutally finished his last four opponents in the first round. But while Jones’ striking coach Gibson is aware of Ngannou’s power, he thinks Jones has too many tools for him.

“Obviously we have a lot of respect for Francis,” Gibson told MMA Junkie. “He has incredible, remarkable power, but Jon is not only the greatest fighter of all time, but he’s also the smartest fighter of all time. He has amazing defense that I feel like he doesn’t get enough credit for. Cat-like reflexes, amazing footwork, and I think Jon’s clinch work and wrestling abilities would really be the X-factor in this, and we’ve seen time and time again, Jon step up in the late rounds.

“Jon looked incredible in the fourth and fifth rounds against guys like (Dominick) Reyes and (Alexander) Gustafsson and (Thiago “Marreta”) Santos and (Anthony) Smith. Jon is not a guy you want to get into deep waters against, and I think he can take Francis there.”

Jones has gone the full 25 minutes eight times in his career, while Ngannou has only gone the championship distance once, when he fell short in his pursuit for UFC heavyweight gold against reigning champion Stipe Miocic.

The fight between Jones and Ngannou may have hit a stumbling block, however, with Jones expressing his disappointment in the UFC’s unwillingness to bump up his pay for the fight.

But like Jones’ manager Abraham Kawa, Gibson thinks the fight could still happen, if the fans continue to rally behind it.

“I think the UFC will eventually hear the fans on this one,” Gibson said. “It sounds like there’ll continue to be buzz. Maybe this is something that grows, maybe it’s something that’s held off for a little bit, or maybe if the fans are so vocal, the UFC will end up finding a way to make this fight happen. … I have not lost hope in this bout at all.

“Jon is looking to challenge himself. Francis may be the baddest guy on the planet right now, and Jon in my opinion is the greatest of all-time, and this is what continues to make him the greatest of all-time: Calling out the guys nobody wants and a fight that all the fans want to see.”