White not convinced Jones wants to fight Ngannou, hints at Lewis bout
UFC president Dana White said Saturday he currently has no reason to believe Jon Jones is serious about accepting a heavyweight title shot against Francis Ngannou.
Jones was active on social media during Saturday's UFC 260 title bout between Stipe Miocic and Ngannou, which resulted in a second-round knockout win for the latter. The former light heavyweight champion implied he's interested in facing Ngannou, but he made it clear he wants to get paid the right amount of money for the fight. White isn't convinced, though.
"What (does) 'show me the money' mean?" White asked during the postfight press conference. "I tell you guys this all the time: You can say you want to fight somebody, you know? But do you really want to?"
White said before the rematch between Miocic and Ngannou that Jones would be first in line to face the winner. Jones relinquished his 205-pound title in August to pursue a run at heavyweight, and recent training videos suggest he's still committed to that move. But White said the UFC may instead look to book Ngannou against Derrick Lewis if Jones doesn't pursue a heavyweight title shot.
"Well, Derrick Lewis is the fight to make," White said. "But if Jon Jones really wants that fight - listen, it's one thing to go out and tweet and say you want it. ... Do you want the fight? I promise you we can call Derrick Lewis or one of these other heavyweights, and they want the fight.
"If Jon Jones really wants the fight, Jon Jones knows he can get the fight. But he has to do his calling and do it. Like I said, it's easy to say you want the fight. But if you really want the fight, Francis Ngannou is the heavyweight champion of the world right now - all he's gotta do is pick up the phone and call (UFC executive vice president) Hunter (Campbell), and we can get the deal done."
Jones took issue with White's comments, writing in an Instagram post that the UFC president could've done a better job selling the potential Ngannou matchup.
"What a great way to promote the fight," he wrote. "Let's just shit on Jon Jones and make him seem afraid. How dare he ask to get paid serious money for a serious fight."