UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones could be going on a long fighting hiatus after failing to secure a deal with the promotion for a fight with Francis Ngannou.
The pound-for-pound king has been on a heated war of words with the Cameroonian knockout sensation as they both agreed to fight in a heavyweight showdown.
Undefeated in the last four title fights, Jones has been teasing a potential move to heavyweight division and with his biggest rival, Daniel Cormier, set to clash with Stipe Miocic for a third time, a fight with Ngannou would be a good option for his first 265-pound bout.
Jones told the promotion last week to send the deal for his heavyweight debut against ‘The Predator’ but UFC president Dana White wasn’t sure if both guys really want to pursue the fight.
“Yeah, I mean anything is possible. I mean I don’t know if those guys really want that fight,” White said in the post-fight show at UFC Florida.
“You know what I mean? But let me tell you this, and I’m not saying that this is the case with these two. But, you see a lot of talk online and whatever in my opinion. But actually making fight is a whole other ball game.”
Early Odds & Prediction for Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannouhttps://t.co/j3A3pJleyC#JonesNgannou #UFCBetting pic.twitter.com/sIRcwSTf1H
— Betting Insider Journal (@InsiderJournal_) May 20, 2020
In a series of tweets on Thursday, Jones revealed he was negotiating with the company for a super fight with Ngannou but the UFC ‘was unwilling to pay more.’
“Before even discussing numbers, the UFC was unwilling to pay more for the Francis super fight / for me to move to heavyweight. Said I could possibly earn more in pay-per-view buys.”
To this, the 32-year old has decided to take a break from MMA for a year or two and will only come back if the UFC is ‘ready to better business.’
“It’s been fun you guys, maybe I’ll see you all in a year or two.”
Currently in negotiation with @UFC as we speak
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) May 21, 2020
unbelievable
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) May 21, 2020
Before even discussing numbers, the UFC was unwilling to pay more for the Francis super fight / for me to move to heavyweight. Said I could possibly earn more in pay-per-view buys.
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) May 21, 2020
It’s been fun you guys, maybe I’ll see you all in a year or two.
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) May 21, 2020
Maybe when they’re ready to do better business I’ll come back, until then health fitness and family.
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) May 21, 2020
I should’ve worded that differently, I actually think these guys do great business. Right now things just aren’t where I want them to be.
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) May 21, 2020
(Feature Image Source: Instagram/ Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones)