Jon Jones upset with the UFC over superfight pay: “Bad business”
Despite pretty much the entire MMA community being on board for Jon Jones vs Francis Ngannou, the UFC wasn’t.
Negotiations don’t always go as planned with the UFC. Many of the biggest stars in MMA have had their share of falling out and disputes with the UFC. The likes of Georges St-Pierre, Anderson Silva and Conor McGregor have all found themselves on opposite sides of the UFC when it comes to certain issues. Recently, UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones had a dispute with the promotion – And left feeling “shocked” with the business practices of his employers.
Following UFC 249, Cameroonian heavyweight Francis Ngannou stood out as one of the most dangerous and imposing fighters in the division, with a 20 second KO of Jair Rozenstruik. Afterwards he and Jones went back and forth, seemingly agreeing upon a heavyweight bout between them. Jones even asked the UFC to send him a contract to fight Ngannou in the champ’s first fight at heavyweight.
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While it seemed as the ideal scenario, as heavyweight champ Stipe Miocic is expected to face Daniel Cormier in a trilogy fight for the title, all parties did not come to an agreement.
Taking to social media to express his feelings on the matter, Jones claimed that the UFC weren’t willing to provide sufficient payment for a bout with the feared KO artist Ngannou.
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
“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.”
He then vowed to take a hiatus from the UFC, adding: “It’s been fun you guys, maybe I’ll see you all in a year or two.”
After taking some time to think things over, a “less emotional” Jones, while displeased with the UFC, seemingly accepted the UFC’s practices. He then welcomed a light heavyweight title defence with Jan Blachowicz, who recently lined up his third straight win in the UFC, finishing Corey Anderson in the first round.
I’ve had some time to think about it and Im a lot less emotional. Just sad that the ufc doesn’t see my value against the scariest HW in the world. Jan I guess you’re next in line #badbusiness #shocked
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) May 22, 2020
“I’ve had some time to think about it and Im a lot less emotional. Just sad that the ufc doesn’t see my value against the scariest HW in the world. Jan I guess you’re next in line #badbusiness #shocked”
As of now, it’s not clear as to when either Jones or Ngannou will return to the octagon.
