Francis Ngannou disputes Dana White, says Jon Jones didn't want to fight

Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou said Jon Jones was the one who didn't want to fight while both were part of the UFC, contradicting UFC CEO Dana White's version of events.

"That's the new narrative since he needs to say something either way," Ngannou said Thursday during a news conference for the PFL Battle of the Giants. "As far as I'm concerned, Jon Jones didn't want to fight me, according to them in so many times we sat down in meetings with them.

"They were like, ‘Oh, it can't happen. Jon Jones doesn't want to fight anymore. He lives in Albuquerque (N.M.), and he lives his small life and has a lot of money in his bank account.' I think the guy that controls the narrative can say whatever he wants. That's just the narrative. I was the one requesting the Jon Jones fight."

White initially said in 2020-21 that Jones was the reason the fight never happened, doubting the UFC star's desire to face Ngannou (17-3 MMA).

But on Tuesday, White shifted the blame to Ngannou, who is scheduled for his first MMA fight since leaving the UFC as champion for the PFL in 2023.

"It's a long story," White said Tuesday after Dana White's Contender Series 68. "That dude (UFC chief business officer Hunter Campbell) did everything in his power to make Jon Jones vs. Francis. The fight did not happen, and let me tell you, it wasn't because of Jon Jones."

Ngannou, who will face Renan Ferreira on Oct. 19 in Saudi Arabia, said he wanted to remain with the UFC and face Jones but sought certain stipulations in his new contract. He left after those requests were not met.

"I didn't want that like a trap to get into some deal and get to something that I didn't want, you know," Ngannou, 37, said. "I wanted things to be straight and squared. Yes, I wanted to fight Jon Jones, but in good conditions."

--Field Level Media