Francis Ngannou Fires Back at Dana White Saying Jon Jones Didn’t Want to Fight

Ngannou Says Jones Didn't Want To Fight Him When He Was In The UFC

Ahead of his MMA return on Oct. 19, Ngannou was asked about his thoughts on UFC CEO Dana White and the narrative that it was Ngannou that didn't want to fight Jones, not the other way around.

"As far as I'm concerned, it was Jon Jones didn't wanna fight with me," Ngannou said at the PFL press conference on Thursday. "According to them, and so many times that we sit down on the meeting, though, I'm like, 'Oh, it can't happen. Jon Jones doesn't wanna fight anymore...' He live in Albuquerque. He live his small life. He has a lot of money in his bank account.

"So, I think the guy who control the narrative can say whatever he wants, but that's just the narrative," Ngannou said of White's recent comments on Jones.

Despite Jones' recent inactivity in MMA that has seen him fought once in the last four years, White has marketed 'Bones' to be the #1 pound-for-pound fighter on the planet right now as he awaits his first heavyweight title defense against Stipe Miocic, not interim champ Tom Aspinall.

Jones didn't make his heavyweight debut until after Ngannou packed up his bags and left the UFC, winning the vacant title at UFC 285 with a submission win over Ngannou's former foe Ciryl Gane.

Ngannou Wanted To Fight Jones Under Good Conditions

Ngannou's UFC departure was anything but easy with a new contract in front of him after a standstill year as the heavyweight champion. While Ngannou claims to have wanted the Jones fight more than "Bones" himself, the matchup wasn't the only thing that mattered to "The Predator".

"I was the one requesting the Jon Jones fight, but I didn't want that like, I don't know how to say it, like a trap to get into some deal and get to something that I didn't want," Ngannou said. "I want things to be straight and square. So, yes. I wanted to fight Jon Jones, but in the good condition, not just to fight to be bailed out [of my contract]."

Fans Bash Francis Ngannou’s Opponent after 'Despicable' Comment to Ex-UFC Champ

Read More UFC & MMA News

• Henry Cejudo Teases Major Career Move, Potential Fight with Former UFC Champion

• UFC Announces Stacked Fall Pay-Per-View Card Featuring Alex Pereira's Return

• UFC Fight Night: Jared Cannonier vs. Caio Borralho Full Card Odds & Best Bets

• Ilia Topuria Sets Sights on Two UFC Champions After Max Holloway Showdown