Francis Ngannou says he is worried about how the UFC is handling Jon Jones’ recent pay dispute. Ngannou, who left the promotion in 2023 after his own fight over pay, spoke about the situation and what it could mean for fighters.
What happened with Jon Jones and the UFC
Jon Jones had been linked to a big event called the White House card in June. Ahead of the card’s announcement, Jones said he was negotiating to return at that event. When the card was announced, Jones was not on it.
UFC president Dana White then said there were never any negotiations and that Jones was never planned to fight on that card. Jones responded saying negotiations did happen, that he was lowballed, and that he asked for his release if the promotion thought he was finished as a fighter.
Jones later said he was offered $15 million for the fight but believed the fight was worth more. White answered that it did not matter what Jones wanted because, according to him, Jones was never going to fight on the card.
Ngannou’s reaction
Ngannou was asked about the dispute during an interview. He said Jon Jones has been in the sport a long time and has been a champion since he was young. Ngannou used the word GOAT—greatest of all time—when talking about Jones.
Ngannou said: “Jon Jones [has] been in this organization for how long? Jon Jones [has] been a champion since he was 23. Over 15 years. If there’s somebody that deserves something nowadays, like just even to pay him tribute, it’s Jon Jones.”
He added, “Isn’t it Jon Jones that they are out there bragging he’s a GOAT? Man, if the GOAT is not respected then who should be respected. I worry if their GOAT is being treated like that. I truly worry if that’s how they treat their GOAT. Then those who are not the GOAT, I don’t know whatever they are, well imagine what they are going through.”
Ngannou left the promotion in 2023 after a high-profile disagreement over pay and contract terms. That history shapes his view of the Jones-UFC disagreement.
What others have said
Journalist Ariel Helwani said Dana White’s comments did not make sense. Helwani reported that multiple sources told him negotiations between Jones and the UFC were taking place. That view conflicts with the UFC’s public statements.
The dispute raises questions about how top fighters are treated and paid. Jones says he was offered $15 million. The UFC says Jones was never on the card. Outside voices and former fighters like Ngannou worry about what this means for veterans and rising fighters alike.
Where this leaves the sport
The disagreement is important because it involves one of the sport’s biggest names. It also highlights continuing tensions about pay and respect in mixed martial arts. For now, the sides have different stories. Fans and fighters will be watching closely to see whether the issue leads to any change in how top fighters are paid and treated.
