Francis Ngannou backs Jon Jones in UFC pay dispute: ‘I worry if the GOAT is being treated like that’

ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 17: Jon Jones has words with Francis Ngannou during PFL 2023 week 5 at OTE Arena on June 17, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) | Getty Images Francis Ngannou might want to fight Jon Jones in the cage, but outside of it he’s taking Jones’ side. Jones is currently embroiled in a war of words with the UFC and CEO Dana White, with White claiming Jones was never in discussion to be part of the highly anticipated UFC White House card in June, and Jones firing back that there were negotiations but if the promotion isn’t interested in his services, he should be released.

This past Saturday, Jones wrote a tweet in which he claims he was interested in a showdown against fellow two-division title winner Alex Pereira at the UFC White House card but the UFC did not offer more than $15 million for the fight. On The Ariel Helwani Show , Ngannou defended Jones’ pay demands, arguing that the former heavyweight and light heavyweight champion should be treated with the utmost respect at the negotiating table. “Of course, Jon Jones deserves that,” Ngannou said.

“Jon Jones has been with this organization for how long? Jon Jones has been the champion since he was 23, which is, what 15 years? Over 15 years?

If there is somebody that deserves something nowadays, like just even to pay him tribute, it’s Jon Jones. Jon Jones needs to get paid maybe not only for the fight that he’s fighting, but for what he has done for the sport. For where he has taken the sport to.