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Francis Ngannou Responds To Dana White’s Claim Of He Ducked Jon Jones

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Francis Ngannou Responds To Dana White's Claim Of He Ducked Jon Jones

Last year, Francis Ngannou was stripped of the UFC Heavyweight Championship as he left the promotion after a failed negotiation for a new contract.

During the Contender Series press conference, UFC CEO Dana White stated that Jon Jones isn’t afraid to fight anyone. White added that UFC matchmakers Sean Shelby and Mick Maynard tried everything to book the Ngannou vs. Jones fight. The UFC CEO further noted that Jones was not the reason the fight didn’t happen.

“I have zero animosity towards Francis. Francis was out of my world a long time ago. [Sean Shelby] and Mick [Maynard] did everything they could to make Jon Jones vs. Francis happen. The fight did not happen, and let me tell you, it wasn’t because of Jon Jones. Jon is a very unique individual to deal with. Jon Jones will fight everybody. He wanted Francis. He wanted that fight so bad. These are f–king facts.”

Francis Ngannou (17-3) is scheduled to face Renan Ferreira (13-3, 3 NC) for the PFL Heavyweight Superfight Title in the main event at PFL Super Fights on Saturday, October 19th. During the PFL Battle of the Giants press conference, Ngannou responded to Dana White’s comments.

“I think that’s the new narrative since he [Dana White] needs to say something either way. But as far as I’m concerned, it was Jon Jones that didn’t want to fight me, according to them [UFC]. And so many times that we sat down in meetings and they were like, ‘It can’t happen; Jon Jones doesn’t want to fight anymore’, so I think the guy who controls the narrative can say whatever he wants. But they chose the narrative. I was the one requesting the Jon Jones fight, but I didn’t want it to be a trap to get into some deal and get into something that I didn’t want; I wanted to be straight and square. So yes, I wanted to fight Jon Jones, but in good condition, not just to fight to be paid out.”