If Jon Jones
wants to relinquish the light heavyweight title and walk away from
the sport, that’s his decision, according to Dana White.
The UFC president issued a brief statement to the
Canadian Press on Monday after Jones tweeted that he planned on
vacating the 205-pound belt. Jones’ threat was the latest salvo in
a
public dispute regarding negotiations for a potential
superfight with heavyweight Francis
Ngannou.
“Jon
Jones is one of the greatest to ever do it,” White said. “The
decision he wants to make regarding his career is up to him. The
reality is that he’s made enough money from fighting that he’s now
in the position to retire and never work again in his life.”
White’s statement bears some resemblance to
remarks he made about Conor
McGregor after the Irish star earned in the neighborhood of
$100 million to box Floyd
Mayweather in August 2017.
Money appears to be at the root of the issues between Jones and
White. The UFC boss claimed that “Bones” demanded a Deontay
Wilder payday — around $25 to $30 million — to fight Ngannou.
Jones responded that he never provided a specific number, only that
he wanted a new deal for the added risk of moving up in weight.
Things have only escalated since then, as Jones wasn’t pleased with
White’s remarks at the UFC on ESPN 9 post-fight press conference
Saturday.
Jones’ attention has been elsewhere more recently. He took to the
streets to
stop vandalism in Albuquerque, New Mexico, early Monday morning
during the George Floyd protests in the city and then assisted
local businesses with clean-up and repairs during the day.
Source: – Sherdog.com
Edited By Harry Miller
