Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) light heavyweight champion Jon Jones already had a huge blowout with Dana White and Co. when the promotion tried to shortchange him for a Francis Ngannou super fight back in early 2020, so I’m not sure why any of us expected it to be different the second time around.
It should be, considering the stakes are even higher — and more profitable — despite this lukewarm take.
Ngannou captured the heavyweight title by smashing Stipe Miocic in the UFC 260 pay-per-view (PPV) main event last weekend in Las Vegas, improving his win streak (and knockout streak) to five straight, while “Bones” has been showing off his new physique.
In addition, Jones has headlined 15 straight PPV cards, making UFC a ton of profit along the way. He’s certainly earned his money fight and this idea that “Bones” is pricing himself out of “The Predator” bout because he’s “scared” should probably watch this video from Ngannou.
“Please just cut me already,” Jones tweeted — then deleted — on social media (captured by MMA Junkie). “You would rather have me around and treat me like shit. I swear the UFC industry has been nothing but depressing for me. I feel like my wings are being clipped.”
Jones fought a prime “Shogun” at age 23, part of a grueling streak where “Bones” faced five straight former champions. He also welcomed the undefeated Daniel Cormier to light heavyweight, so I think it’s safe to say “Bones” isn’t scared of anyone (in any division).
Jones has given UFC its fair share of headaches over the years, with his problems both inside and outside the cage, but it’s hard to label “Bones” greedy when White claims UFC is worth $7 billion — while simultaneously calling Jones the greatest of all time.
“Just fucking let me go,” Jones continued. “What type of weird shit is this, obviously the boss hates me. Let me take my business elsewhere. I’m not trying to be great for other people anymore, I’m trying to be great for myself. There’s nothing great about being taken advantage of. You guys have no idea how insulted I feel.”
Perhaps it’s time to capitalize on this longstanding offer.