Francis Ngannou is your new UFC heavyweight champion and the choice of opponent for his first title defense is obvious.

Longtime UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has had a move to the heavyweight division for almost a year, and UFC President Dana White has previously said Jones will score the first goal in the winner of Saturday’s fight between Ngannou and Stipe Miocic.

Ngannou took the belt forcefully and knocked out Miocic in the second round. That left Jones with a reaction that Jerry Maguire fans out there will appreciate:

He then found he was very ready to make his heavyweight debut.

Go to 185? I put on weight for a reason 😂

– BONY (@JonnyBones) March 28, 2021

It wasn’t long before Ngannou responded when the new champ broke up on Jones’ tweet shortly after the fight. He added that he would be ready to fight as early as July or August.

Ngannou’s answer:

“In my opinion, Jon Jones is the greatest of all time in mixed martial arts. He will be a good thing. He will be a challenge that I will take up. It would be a very good challenge for me, a very good thing on my résumé, but this time he’ll be the challenger, I’m the champion.

The story goes on

“I’m ready anytime. Even in summer, I’ll be ready to fight in July or August. Whenever they’re ready, I’m ready. He said something like” Show the money. “Show the money and we’ll do it baby. I’m here.”

Obviously the UFC wants Jones-Ngannou to happen. Both sides probably want it to happen too. It would be one of the most anticipated fights in the recent past, let alone the most lucrative. But Jones’ reaction is a reminder that money could still be an obstacle.

Can UFC bring Francis Ngannou-Jon Jones to life?

The UFC actually tried to fight a Jones-Ngannou fight last year when Miocic was still in a belt-tug of war with Daniel Cormier. That didn’t end well. Claiming UFC refused to give him a raise for the heavyweight jump, Jones blasted White and repeatedly threatened to resign during the negotiations.

The stakes on a Jones-Ngannou match have only increased, but maybe that helps figure out the finances for a potential deal. A win for Ngannou would instantly cement him as one of the UFC’s top pound-for-pound fighters and make him a pay-per-view Goliath. A win for Jones would further polish his legacy as one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time, if not the greatest.

We can only wait and see if the UFC can make it.

Francis Ngannou impressed at UFC 260

Meanwhile, the sports world can enjoy Ngannou’s incredible show:

We bring gold back to Africa !!

– Israel Adesanya (@stylebender) March 28, 2021

Ohhhhhh myyyyyyyy gawwwwd

– Belal Muhammad (@ bullyb170) March 28, 2021

FRANCIS NGANNOU 🇨🇲🇨🇲🇨🇲🇨🇲🇨🇲

– Joel “Troels” Embiidae (@JoelEmbiid) March 28, 2021

This fight ending sequence was Overeem-esque. Throwing the straight right into that switch was clean. I don’t think a heavyweight can beat this man. Congratulations @francis_ngannou # UFC260

– Michael Chiesa (@ MikeMav22) March 28, 2021

And yes, a lot of people want the Jones fight to take place.

* I can’t wait to see FRANCIS NGANNOU and JON JONES NEXT !!!! # UFC260

– Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) March 28, 2021

I mean, we can get Francis Ngannou against Jon Jones as soon as possible! 🔥🔥🔥 # UFC260

– Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) March 28, 2021

That makes the @JonnyBones fight so much more interesting … Ngannou was calm, calculated, technical … so exciting !! # UFC260

– Stephen Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) March 28, 2021

Meanwhile, White Jones joked should be very careful about moving to heavyweight.

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