Ngannou will face heavyweight champ Stipe Miocic, confirms UFC chief Dana White as he denies Jon Jones title shot

FRANCIS NGANNOU has pipped Jon Jones to the next shot at Stipe Miocic's heavyweight title.

After Miocic, 37, won his trilogy decider against Daniel Cormier, 41, at the end of August, Jones announced a move up to heavyweight.

But despite vacating the light-heavyweight belt, UFC boss Dana White confirmed it will be Ngannou – who lost to Miocic in 2018 – who will fight for the strap next.

He said: “He [Jon Jones] can’t jump over Francis. Francis has earned his spot.

“If you think about it, what was the date that Francis last fought for the title in Boston?

"He fought Stipe in Boston in 2018. He’s been grinding for two years now and he deserves a shot.”

Ngannou, 33, has won his last for fights, all in the first round, to climb his way back into title contention.

Jones, 33, has never fought at heavyweight, but was linked with a fight against Ngannou this year.

Dana White then claimed the American legend demanded £25million to move up and face the knockout specialist.

Jones flat out refuted the allegation, instead insisting he only asked for an increase in his usual £4m pay cheque.

The two-time champion then threatened to walk out of the UFC and said he would not fight until his pay row was resolved.

But Miocic's win appeared to inspire a change of heart, as Jones will now chase a legacy defining heavyweight title.

He even called out WWE star Brock Lesnar, who is a free agent having not extended his contract with Vince McMahon.

And White is open to putting Jones against Lesnar on the fighter's heavyweight debut.

He said: “Yeah, I mean, obviously I talked to TMZ about that one today, and I was like listen, if they both want to fight each other then I’m sure it’s a fight that the fans would want to see.

"It would be a good introduction to Jones into the heavyweight division. Yeah, if they wanted to do it, I would do it."

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