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Jon Jones is reacting to Francis Ngannou’s decision to leave the UFC and pursue free agency.
On Saturday, UFC President Dana White announced that he was stripping Ngannou of the title, releasing him, and allowing the UFC’s reigning heavyweight champion to become a free agent after they could not reach a deal.
“We are going to release (Francis Ngannou) from his contract. We are giving up the right to match. He can go wherever he wants and do whatever he wants”
Dana White announces Francis Ngannou is released from his UFC contract 😳 #UFC pic.twitter.com/dxqdLVqqHR
— bjpenndotcom (@bjpenndotcom) January 15, 2023
During an interview with Ariel Helwani, Ngannou revealed that he had turned down $8 million to fight Jones and asked the UFC about giving all fighters health insurance and other benefits during negotiations.
Ngannou says that the Jon Jones fight was in the ballpark of the $8 million that Brock Lesnar reportedly made for UFC 200 and that he had asked for a three-fight deal with no extension clauses.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) January 17, 2023
.@francis_ngannou explains what he wanted, other than money, from the UFC in negotiations 📝 #TheMMAHour
The list included:
• The right to sponsorship
• Health insurance
• A fighter advocate to represent the fighters in meetings▶️ https://t.co/nl825Yai3y pic.twitter.com/5dwxY0Sx67
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) January 17, 2023
After White’s announcement, Jones spoke to Sports Illustrated about Ngannou leaving the company, and said he says he has no issues with the now-former UFC heavyweight champion “fighting for his worth.”
“I’m happy for Francis,” says Jones. “I’m glad that Francis knows his worth. No man has a right to shame another man for fighting for his worth. I was in a very similar situation as Francis as a light heavyweight. I was never happy with my salary. I had to sit out three years, and I missed a lot of time, but now we’re here. I encourage Francis on his journey, and I wish him all the best. Another company is going to be truly blessed to have him.”
Jones does believe that Francis will reach a deal with UFC in the future, and the two will eventually face off in the Octagon.
“And I do believe my path will cross with Francis. Dana White always gives the fans what they want to see, and a Jon Jones-Francis Ngannou fight will always be a fight of interest. So I’m not counting it out. I’ll keep an eye on Francis.”