Dana White: Jon Jones asked for an ‘absurd amount of money’ to fight Francis Ngannou

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For the last couple of weeks, MMA fans have been fanning the flames on a potential Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou fight. The light heavyweight champion has taken to social media multiple times to declare interest in the heavyweight fight, and Ngannou is on board. It sounds like an incredible matchup.

Unfortunately for them (and everyone else), money has apparently scuttled this opportunity.

Both Jones and Ngannou have lobbied to get paid more for the fight, which is understandable considering how marketable the bout is. Jones in particular was under the impression that his contract would be renegotiated with a move up in weight.

But in a video chat with ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, UFC president Dana White shut that down, apparently due to the demands of Jonny Bones:

“It’s one thing if you come out and say, ‘Yeah, listen, I want a little more money. For the amount of money he is asking for, it’s not gonna happen. He couldn’t be asking for a more absurd amount of money at a worse time.”

“Is Jon Jones gonna go in and fight Francis Ngannou and then try to take a run at the heavyweight title? I don’t believe that,” White said. “He’s never wanted to move to heavyweight before.”