KEY POINTS

  • Jon Jones is not settling for $10 million in a heavyweight title fight against Francis Ngannou
  • Ngannou could face Derrick Lewis in a rematch before fighting Jones
  • Ngannou is looking to avenge a previous loss to "The Black Beast"

Jon Jones is back in the UFC spotlight, and talks are underway for him to face Francis Ngannou.

The 34-year-old Cameroonian is coming off a dominant win over Stipe Miocic, winning the promotion's heavyweight championship via second-round knockout in brutal fashion at UFC 260.

With the big win at UFC 260, Ngannou revealed that he was looking to fight at least twice in 2021 and already has a couple of names in mind.

Ngannou wanted to face Jones first and then possibly a rematch with Derrick Lewis at some point after that.

READ ALSO: Factors That Jon Jones Needs To Consider Before Facing Francis Ngannou

The newly-minted heavyweight kingpin lost to Lewis via unanimous decision at UFC 226 in July 2018. Ironically, he also lost his match before that to Miocic via unanimous decision as well at UFC 220 in January that same year.

He has since racked up five-straight wins. After redeeming himself against Miocic, it would make sense for him to seek payback against “The Black Beast.”

But before looking that far, he needs to face Jones first. The purse reportedly worth $10 million has been put up, but “Bones” is not biting.

Jones wants a bigger fight purse than that amount, but the amount of money he had in mind was not mentioned, TMZ reported.

"I had a brief phone meeting with UFC‘s lawyer Hunter [Campbell] a few days ago. As of right now, I expressed to him that anywhere around eight to $10 million would be way too low for a fight of this magnitude. That’s all that has been discussed so far," Jones stated.

READ ALSO: Four MMA Promotions That Should Go After Jon Jones If He Leaves UFC

Hence, the UFC may have to go back to the drawing board and map out a better deal. With no numbers mentioned, it will be interesting how a Jones vs. Ngannou clash will push through.

But if his words are to be taken, it may take a lot to get that colossal showdown to materialize.

Francis Ngannou
Francis Ngannou @UFC on Twitter

"I’m supposed to be waiting for what their offer is going to be. Really hoping the numbers are nowhere near that low. I guess we will see what happens," Jones stated.

So unless that fight is booked by the UFC, Ngannou facing Lewis may have to wait. That is unless negotiations are hard to seal.

Could the Cameroonian opt to fight Lewis first before Jones?

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