Dana White claims that the reason Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones never fought was Ngannou.
On Tuesday, Jones teased retirement after he defends his UFC heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic later this year, repeatedly dismissing interim champion Tom Aspinall. This has become a common refrain for Jones, who appears dead set on the Miocic fight despite some public backlash and on Tuesday evening, following the latest episode of Contender Series, White jumped in to defend Jones.
“I have zero animosity towards Francis,” White said. “Francis was out of my world a long time ago. [Sean Shelby] and Mick [Maynard] are another story. It’s a long story. [Shelby] did everything he could in his power to make Jon Jones vs. Francis. The fight did not happen and let me tell you what, it wasn’t because of Jon Jones.
“So Jon is a very unique individual to deal with. Jon Jones will fight everybody. Jon Jones was absolutely — he wanted Francis! You saw what happened with Ciryl Gane. He will tell you like he told us that he would do the same thing to Francis Ngannou. He wanted that fight so bad.
“And for anybody who thinks — I know the whole internet, ‘Oh Jon Jones!’ that I’m up Jon Jones’s ass, these are fcking facts. Facts. And since everybody has been such douchebags about this, I’m coming out with a nice little punch in the face for all you fckers that think Jon Jones isn’t the greatest of all-time.
“Dislike him, whatever your beef is with Jon Jones, knock yourself out. There’s no way in hell that Jon Jones doesn’t want to fight Aspinall. That I guarantee you.
