Is Jon Jones Vacating The UFC Light Heavyweight Championship?
The ongoing saga between the UFC, Dana White, and UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones seems to have reached a breaking point. In the end, one of the most gifted athletes in MMA today may end up leaving the promotion that made him famous.
Over the last week, White and Jones have had a back-and-forth when it comes to the price Jones believes he is worth. This comes during recent conversations of Jones moving up to heavyweight to face heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou. Jones talked to UFC brass about the fight but he was upset with the money offered, stating that the UFC didn’t appreciate his value.
White has insisted that Jones has requested way too much, with major words being said after UFC on ESPN 9 this Saturday. He went on to say that Jones messaged him saying he wanted $30 million, known as “Deontay Wilder money”, and stated that Jones’ issues outside of the cage were a factor in him not earning that kind of money. During all of this time, White has called Jones the “GOAT” of MMA.
Jones has stated in the past it would be a “big money fight” between him and Ngannou. Since then, Jones has claimed White is lying about contract negotiations.
“At no point did I ever demand anything from you Dana, I simply asked for a Super fight and asked to be compensated for it. You are the one who started talking negotiations publicly and showing the world how much you’ve been withholding from your athletes this whole time”
At no point did I ever demand anything from you Dana, I simply asked for a Super fight and asked to be compensated for it. You are the one who started talking negotiations publicly and showing the world how much you’ve been withholding from your athletes this whole time
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) May 31, 2020
He then went on to request Dominick Reyes v. Jan Blachowicz for the UFC Light Heavyweight Title. When questioned about his next steps, Jones stated he would take a hiatus from the UFC while also relinquishing the title he currently holds. Regarding the latter, he said “yes” to a fan.
“#ESPN Reyes vs Jan For the UFC light heavyweight championship of the world. As of right now, I got nothing to really gain fighting either of them. Let me know if you guys want to set up a day in 2021 for that Izzy fight. Hopefully you guys will be willing to pay by then.”
#ESPN Reyes vs Jan For the UFC light heavyweight championship of the world. As of right now, I got nothing to really gain fighting either of them. Let me know if you guys want to set up a day in 2021 for that Izzy fight. Hopefully you guys will be willing to pay by then.
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) May 31, 2020
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) May 31, 2020
“Bones out, when you see me in the streets just call me JJ”
Bones out, when you see me in the streets just call me JJ 🤙🏾
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) May 31, 2020
“To the light heavyweight title Veni, vidi, vici”
Jones last fought in February at UFC 247, beating Reyes via unanimous decision. It is unknown if he would consider staying away from the UFC just for more money, just as Randy Couture did before him. Would Jones also go straight to boxing, or would he look at offers from other MMA promotions?
As of now, the UFC has not acknowledged this public statement by Jones.