UFC: Jon Jones threatens to ‘retire today’ after Francis Ngannou heavyweight super fight talks break down

‘Bones’ tells fans he will see them ‘in a year or two’ after expressing disappointment at negotiations over his pay with the promotion

Jones says ‘I’ve given this company over a decade of entertainment’ as Ngannou adds it ‘sucks’

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Jon Jones walks to his corner during his light heavyweight title fight against Dominick Reyes at UFC 247 in Houston, Texas in February. Photo: AFP

Published: 6:10pm, 22 May 2020Updated: 6:10pm, 22 May 2020

UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones appears to have pulled a page out of Conor McGregor’s play book after saying he could “retire today” after unsatisfactory contract talks with the promotion.

“Bones” (26-1, one no contest) went on a Twitter tirade after the UFC was “unwilling to pay more” for a potential move up to heavyweight to fight contender Francis Ngannou (15-3).

“Unbelievable”, the 32-year-old Jones said, before tweeting: “Before even discussing the numbers, the UFC was unwilling to pay more for the Francis super fight / for me to move to heavyweight. Said I could possibly earn more in pay-per-view buys.”

Jones, who beat Dominick Reyes via unanimous decision in February and defended his belt against Thiago Santos and Anthony Smith in 2019, has spent the last two weeks campaigning for a fight with “The Predator” Ngannou.

Ngannou, 33, is on a devastating tear having beaten Jairzinho Rozenstruik in 20 seconds at UFC 249 earlier this month. He also TKO’d Junior dos Santos and Cain Velasquez in the first round last year.

The Cameroonian has expressed his interest in a Jones bout having previously shown “frustration” at the heavyweight division’s lack of movement. He tweeted: “No title fight, no super fight, who knows when going to be my next fight. Hope it’s not another 11 months or so. #ThisIsSucks”.