Jon Jones has claimed Francis Ngannou didn't "believe in himself" which is why their UFC heavyweight title fight collapsed.
Ngannou recently elected to step away from the UFC after failing to agree a new contract with the promotion, which saw him vacate his heavyweight crown. It was expected prior to his departure that Ngannou's next challenge as champion would be a huge showdown with Jones who is finally making a long-awaited switch to the top division this year.
However, it will now have to be an interim title bout for 'Bones', who will instead touch gloves with French star Cyril Gane next weekend at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Despite negotiations being held extensively over a clash, it was unable to be brought to reality and Jones believes his rival should be the target for any criticism.
“I don’t think I deserve any criticism,” Jones told RMC Sport. “I’m here. Francis had the opportunity to face me and he opted out of the opportunity. If anyone should be criticised, it’s Francis Ngannou. If I’m correct, he was offered the biggest contract in heavyweight history.
"He had the opportunity to be a guy that dethroned me and he didn’t believe in himself. He wasn’t willing to gamble on himself.
"I felt bad for the fans, I know that would’ve been a massive fight for the fans and people all around the world would’ve loved to see that event. I’m not counting it out, I could see Francis going and fighting in boxing and doing whatever he is going to do.
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"I think he is always going to be welcomed back to the UFC. That is always going to be a big, big fight and I will be ready for him. I feel like I have great boxing right now. Better than it used to be.
"I have great kickboxing, great defence, great wrestling, and jiu-jitsu. I feel like I’m just a better martial artist. I take this sport very serious and I think that will show when we’re in front of each other.”
Jones has piled on weight ahead of his upcoming fight with Gane. Ngannou initially believed he was the man to welcome back one of the UFC's biggest superstars. However several issues broke out over his fighting contract where he wanted to be paid more for any mega-fight, despite Dana White's claim he was offered a more lucrative deal than former star Brock Lesnar.
