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Jones thinks Ngannou fight will happen: 'All in good time'

Chris Unger / UFC / Getty

Despite his ongoing conflict with the UFC, Jon Jones is optimistic a highly anticipated heavyweight title fight against Francis Ngannou will materialize.

"I think it's going to happen," Jones told FightHype in an interview published Thursday when asked if he thinks he'll come to terms with the promotion for the matchup. "I think the UFC, eventually, will do the right thing.

"I think this is one of the greatest fights of our generation, and it would be really sad if it weren't to happen. I believe that it will. ... All in good time. We're patient."

The former light heavyweight champion was initially expected to face the winner of Stipe Miocic versus Ngannou in his heavyweight debut later in 2021.

But Jones has made it clear he wants a pay increase to face Ngannou and the UFC has reportedly seemed unwilling to meet his price.

While Jones hopes the Ngannou matchup comes to fruition, his main goal is to become a two-division champion, regardless of when that happens or his opponent.

"Whether I'm fighting Francis for the title, whether I'm fighting Derrick Lewis for the title, whether I'm Francis' third, fourth title defense, it won't really matter to me," Jones said. "My goal is to be the heavyweight champion. The opponent really won't matter. The month won't matter. We're just getting ready and we believe good will prevail."

Jones relinquished his 205-pound title to pursue a run in the heavyweight division last year. It was a long-awaited move for the pound-for-pound king, who's been working to fill out his frame in recent months. Jones said he feels "awesome" as a bigger man and believes he could've competed at heavyweight during his entire career.

"I'm excited to compete at my full potential, going in there without a weight cut," Jones said. "I have two brothers that are really big boys. I feel like this is the guy that I was supposed to be the whole time. ... I feel like this is where I was supposed to be."

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