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The UFC isn’t planning to strip Jon Jones of the light heavyweight title anytime soon.
As history dictates, the UFC strips fighters of their titles because of inactivity. So much so that even the company’s biggest star wasn’t exempt from this unwritten rule.
But that doesn’t seem to be the case with reigning light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. According to UFC president Dana White, the company has no plans of taking the title away from “Bones,” even with the latter’s own declaration of relinquishing his 205-pound belt.
“Not as of yet, no,” White on Barstool Sports’ My Mom’s Basement podcast when asked if they have plans of stripping Jones (via MMA Fighting).
Jones previously expressed major dissatisfaction about his salary, and has no plans fighting as of the moment. White himself isn’t certain about what happens next with the company’s current pound-for-pound king.
“The last time he said ‘I’m not fighting,’ he’s not fighting, so we’re feeling this thing out,” White said. “When it’s time for him to fight, we’ll see.”
Jones kept himself active upon his return from suspension in late 2018. In March, he capped off a five-fight run at UFC 247 where he won a controversial unanimous decision verdict over Dominick Reyes.