Jon Jones drags Conor McGregor into UFC cash row and demands more money in now-deleted tweet aimed at Dana White
JON JONES has dragged Conor McGregor into a UFC cash row and demanded more money in a now-deleted tweet aimed at Dana White.
Jones has moved up to heavyweight and after Francis Ngannou knocked out Stipe Miocic for the title it set up a super-fight between the two.
But the American legend has made it clear he wants a raise in his usual purse to fight heavy-hitter Ngannou.
And in a deleted tweet Jones referenced McGregor's super yacht and how the Irishman has financially profited in the past.
He posted: "I'll take the fight. I've always taken the fight. I'm just hoping we can actually do business this time.
"I want a boat to haha when can a brother get a piece of the pie?"
McGregor, 32, is the UFC's highest-paid fighter of all time, with his biggest purse just over £2million, which he received three times.
But his share in the pay–per-view sales are likely to have boosted that number closer to £30m.
Jones, 33, on the other hand enjoyed a career best £420,000 in 2017 for his rematch against Daniel Cormier.
But again, bonuses would have seen that figure rise, and in a tweet in May he revealed he makes upwards of $5m (£4m) per fight.
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Jones threatened to walk out on the UFC last year after White claimed he asked for £25m to fight Ngannou.
The former light-heavyweight champion flat out refuted those accusations, instead claiming he wanted just an increase on his usual purse.
Jones sent out a series of tweets after Ngannou's stunning rematch win over Miocic at UFC 260, and reiterated his stance on pay.
He posted: "If anyone is wondering if I really want to fight, the answer is yes. I also really want to get paid.
"I quit the light heavyweight division, literally gained a massive amount of weight.
"And now people are saying I’m afraid? Everyone but me claiming that I’m afraid. All I asked was to get paid.
"Why does a fighter have to be afraid the second he mentions he wants to get paid his worth. What an insult.
"Conor McGregor wants big money, it’s expected. Jon Jones wants money, now he’s scared."
UFC president White questioned whether Jones really wants to face Ngannou, 34, as he referenced the money dispute.
He said: “Listen, I can sit here all day and tell you, what’s show me the money mean?
"I tell you guys this all the time, you can say you want to fight somebody, but do you really want to?”
Jones is still holding out his demands can be met as he expects an offer to be sent by the UFC.
He said: "I am going to try to remain faithful. There’s still time for the UFC to do the right thing.
"I am supposed to be seeing a fight proposal next week. Fingers are crossed, this is an opportunity of a lifetime for everyone involved."
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