Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones might not be friends, but even Cormier has to admit Jones’ recent challenge to Francis Ngannou has him impressed.

Ngannou recently knocked out Jairzinho Rozenstruik in just 20 seconds at UFC 249, reminding fans of the giant’s terrifying power. Despite the devastating aura of Ngannou, however, light heavyweight champion Jones clearly saw some holes he can exploit, and called on the UFC to make the fight.

In light of Ngannou’s track record, Cormier was left conceding Jones had played a blinder.

“I will insult Jones on any day of the week, but I will also give him credit where credit is due, and I truly believe that this Francis Ngannou thing is one of the most gangster things in the world,” Cormier said, speaking on his podcast with Ariel Helwani. “Why would you be afraid of anyone, especially if you’re a guy that has the accomplishments of Jon Jones? Why? That’s the thing I don’t get when people say me or Jon Jones, that we’re afraid of somebody. It’s the most asinine thing in the world.

“I think that this Jones thing is cool. He’s like, ‘OK, you want to fight? Let’s do it.’ That’s what any person in the world, a true fighter, would do, and I think hats off to Jones.”

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