Jon Jones ignites war of words with Dana White over claim he demanded £20m' to fight Francis Ngannou

Jon Jones ignites war of words with Dana White as he hits out at the UFC supremo for claiming he was ‘demanding £20MILLION’ to fight Francis Ngannou

  • Jon Jones has hit back at Dana White’s claims he wanted a £20million payday 
  • White said Jones’ demands will instead see Francis Ngannou face Derrick Lewis
  • But ‘Bones’ has refuted White’s accusation in a tweet aimed at the UFC chief

Jon Jones has hit back at UFC chief Dana White after he claimed the former light heavyweight champion wanted £20million to fight Francis Ngannou.

White revealed on the Bill Simmons podcast recently that the promotion were attempting to put in place a rematch between Ngannou and Derrick Lewis in the former’s first defence of his heavyweight title.

That bout appears increasingly likely due to Jones’ allegedly exorbitant demand – although ‘Bones’ has now refuted White’s claims on social media.

Jon Jones has refuted UFC chief Dana White's claims that he demanded a £30million payday

Jon Jones has refuted UFC chief Dana White’s claims that he demanded a £30million payday

‘I never discussed wanting 30 million with you or [UFC executive] Hunter [Campbell],’ Jones tweeted. ‘@danawhite just wondering where you heard that number? Is someone speaking with you on my behalf or…’  

Jones last stepped inside the Octagon in February 2020 at UFC 247, where he was able to defend his light heavyweight belt with a unanimous points decision over Dominick Reyes.

He has since vacated the title, however, with his sights trained on a heavyweight tilt.

A showdown against Ngannou was firmly on the cards until White indicated that Jones had been holding out for a lucrative ten-figure payday. 

White accused Jones of demanding the lucrative ten-figure sum to take on Francis Ngannou

White accused Jones of demanding the lucrative ten-figure sum to take on Francis Ngannou

‘We tried to work with Jon, and we eventually have to move on because realistically, and in all honesty, Derrick Lewis is the guy who deserves the fight,’ White said. 

‘Derrick Lewis is a heavyweight, he beat Francis Ngannou, he’s looked good in his last couple of fights, he’s ranked in the top three, I think, and he deserves the fight. 

‘That’s the fight that should happen. We’ll just roll and do what we do. When Jon’s ready, he’ll let us know.

‘In his deal, he’s talking he wants $30million (£21m) guaranteed. The way that this works is, these guys all share in the pay-per-view. 

Ngannou (above) looks set to fight Derrick Lewis instead due to Jones' alleged asking price

Ngannou (above) looks set to fight Derrick Lewis instead due to Jones’ alleged asking price

‘He will share in the profits of the fight. That’s how it works. That’s how you run a business, and you don’t go broke.’

Jones has unsurprisingly been keen to ensure he is compensated handsomely, with his step up to heavyweight likely to rake in impressive numbers via pay-per-view.

Supremo White is unwilling to make changes to the pre-existing compensation structure in place for Jones, though. 

This issue has already seen both men embroiled in a row with Jones taking exception to a comment from White in May 2020.

Jones has insisted he has never discussed wanting the £30m figure with White's promotion

Jones has insisted he has never discussed wanting the £30m figure with White’s promotion

It was claimed by White that Jones wanted to earn ‘what Deontay Wilder was paid.’ 

Jones promptly launched a stern defence against the accusation and told White to not be a ‘f****** liar’.

He added on Twitter: ‘My reputation has already taking [sic] enough hits. I don’t need this b****** Dana. I never asked for Diante [sic] Wilder’s numbers.

‘And how about since Diante [sic] is making 30 million, we’ll settle for half of that. Since you said I’m the goat and everything…’

source: dailymail.co.uk