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Jon Jones indicates he will vacate UFC heavyweight title after his fight with Stipe Miocic in 2024

Jon Jones may vacate his UFC heavyweight title once he cashes in on a money fight with former two-time…

Jon Jones may vacate his UFC heavyweight title once he cashes in on a money fight with former two-time titleholder Stipe Miocic.

‘Bones’ indicated that much during an active Thursday afternoon on social media. Responding to fan comments, one user suggested Jones “vacate the belt.” Jones responded suggesting that he may do just that once his long-awaited fight with Miocic is in the books.

“Maybe after I win this next one. Can’t have anyone trying to catch up to my record now,” Jones replied on X.

It’s certainly not the first time Jones has indicated that he would walk away from the sport once he puts a stamp on his career by defeating the consensus heavyweight GOAT inside the Octagon. That has many fight fans questioning 1) what’s the point of even booking Jones vs. Miocic if both fighters are going to fade into retirement right after and 2) if that means Tom Aspinall is going to be promoted from interim to undisputed heavyweight champion, why not just do it now and stop wasting everyone’s time.

Unfortunately, neither Jon Jones nor UFC CEO Dana White are interested in doing what’s right for the division.

UFC Fans Demand Jon Jones Unify his title against tom Aspinall

However, maybe not all hope is lost. Amid his many posts throughout the day, ‘Bones’ did ask fans who they would rather him fight after Miocic with the options being Tom Aspinall or current light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.

“Who would you guys want to see me fight the most, Alex or Tom?” Jones questioned.

Fans were overwhelmingly on the side of Aspinall.

McGregor’s High-Profile Backup? On One Condition …

Photo By Thomas King/Sportsfile via Getty Images

Charles Oliveira doesn’t want to wait around for his return to the Octagon.
Unfortunately for the former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Lightweight champion, he fell…

UFC 264: Poirier v McGregor 3 — Photo By Thomas King/Sportsfile via Getty Images

Charles Oliveira doesn’t want to wait around for his return to the Octagon.

Unfortunately for the former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Lightweight champion, he fell short against Arman Tsarukyan via a split decision at UFC 300 last month (April 13, 2024). Despite the hard-fought battle, Oliveira is raring and ready to fight as soon as possible no matter the weight class.

With the return of Conor McGregor on the horizon, Oliveira likes the idea of possibly stepping in on short notice if needed. Therefore, he’s thrown his name in the hat. “The Notorious” will face the man Oliveira defeated to become champion in May 2021, Michael Chandler, in UFC 303’s main event next month (June 29, 2024). However, there is a caveat from the former titleholder.

“Stop talking about 170 and Conor McGregor,” Oliveira said in a UFC 301 media scrum (h/t MMA Fighting). “I offered myself to be the alternate for that fight, and obviously, I’m down for that. I’d make some money if I don’t fight and if I do fight then awesome. The only condition is if I were to fight McGregor then I’d have to re-negotiate that [contract] for it.

“Once I said that, everyone started talking about me and moving to 170, but that’s not exactly what it is,” he concluded.

Before we get to UFC 303, the promotion will host UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil this weekend (Sat., May 4, 2024). In the main event, Flyweight champion, Alexandre Pantoja, will defend against Australian contender, Steve Erceg.

MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 301 fight card on fight night, starting with the early ESPN+ “Prelims” matches at 6 p.m. ET, followed by the remaining undercard balance on ESPN2/ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET, before the PPV main card start time at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV.

To check out the latest and greatest UFC 301: “Pantoja vs. Erceg” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive events archive right here. For the updated and finalized UFC 301 fight card and ESPN+ lineup click here.

De La Hoya ‘Definitely Going To Sue For Defamation’ After Canelo Spat

Photo by Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy/Getty Images

Oscar De La Hoya isn’t lightly taking Saul “Canelo” Alvarez’s allegations.
Bad blood boiled over at yesterday’s Canelo vs. Jaime Munguia pre-fight press conference (Weds., Ma…

Canelo Alvarez v Jaime Munguia - News Conference — Photo by Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy/Getty Images

Oscar De La Hoya isn’t lightly taking Saul “Canelo” Alvarez’s allegations.

Bad blood boiled over at yesterday’s Canelo vs. Jaime Munguia pre-fight press conference (Weds., May 1, 2024). However, the most captivating verbal exchanges didn’t come between the men competing.

Boxing legend-turned-promoter, De La Hoya, took to the podium where he addressed Canelo and demanded respect after their past differences. This led to a less-than-content Canelo firing off some slurs in Spanish before getting up to get in De La Hoya’s face. Canelo alleged that De La Hoya has stolen money from fighters in the past, including his past rival, Gennadiy Golovkin. Canelo can now look forward to a legal battle following his Munguia clash, according to “The Golden Boy.”

“I’m definitely going to sue for defamation,” De La Hoya told ESPN. “Imagine the damage it can do to my reputation. Imagine what it can do to my business to fighters [who] are going to believe that. It’s terrible. We paid [Golvkin] everything he’s owed.”

De La Hoya is no stranger to getting on someone’s bad side, as he’s infamously feuded with Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Chief Executive Operator (CEO), Dana White, over the years. In this case, he’s had much closer interactions with someone like Canelo, as his fighter, Muguia, prepares to score a huge upset this weekend (Sat., May 4, 2024).

“I’m going to defend myself when somebody’s speaking negative about me and that’s what I did,” De La Hoya said of his exchange with Alvarez. “This was my perfect moment to let him know how I feel. It felt so good. Finally — I was just holding my tongue for all these years — and finally I can f—king tell him in his face, put some f—king respect on my name.”

UFC star Alex Pereira confirms plan to fight Jiri Prochazka in title rematch next, bout date in the works

Undisputed light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira has revealed plans are currently in place for him to defend his title…

Undisputed light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira has revealed plans are currently in place for him to defend his title in a championship rematch against former gold holder, Jiri Prochazka next, with the promotion working on a date to stage the bout.

Pereira, a former undisputed middleweight champion and the incumbent kingpin at 205 pounds, headlined UFC 300 last month – defending that latter crown for the first time.

Alex Pereira rejects UFC 308 clash with Magomed Ankalaev in Abu Dhabi I want to fight sooner — Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari – Zuffa LLC

Turning in a stunning first round victory, Sao Paulo knockout artist, Pereira stopped the returning former champion, Jamahal Hill with a blistering first round win, felling the Illinois native with a thunderous finish.

Alex Pereira targets UFC 308 homecoming fight at Madison Square Garden it makes total sense — Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas – USA TODAY Sports

On that same main card, Czech Republic favorite, Prochazka landed an impressive second round win over fellow European star, Aleksandar Rakic in the pair’s long-anticipated grudge fight, rallying to finish the Serbian-born contender with a stunning knockout.

Alex Pereira confirms plan to rematch Jiri Prochazka next

And staking his claim for a title fight rematch with Pereira in the aftermath of his win at UFC 300 last month, it appears Prochazka is inching closer to seeing his wish fulfilled, with the Brazilian confirming a bout is in the works.

Jiri Prochazka urged against middleweight move He's borderline psychiatric he could do it — Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas – USA TODAY Sports

“Alex Pereira just told us during a scrum in Rio that he’s likely fighting Jiri Prochazka next,” MMA Fighting reporter, Guilherme Cruz posted on his X account. “Still working on a date. Will have video soon over at @MMAFighting.”

Alex Pereira just told us during a scrum in Rio that he's likely fighting Jiri Prochazka next. Still working on a date. Will have video soon over at @MMAFighting.

Also, scrum videos with UFC 301 guest fighters Charles Oliveira, Alex Grasso and Diego Lopes.

— Guilherme Cruz (@guicruzzz) May 2, 2024

Headlining UFC 295 back in November of last year at Madison Square Garden, Pereira snatched the vacant light heavyweight title with a second round stoppage win over Prochazka, handing the former Rizin FF gold holder his first loss since his transition to the Octagon.

3-0 since his move to the light heavyweight limit last July, Pereira, a GLORY Kickboxing Hall of Fame inductee turned in a decision victory over another former titleholder, Jan Blachowicz in his weight class bow in Salt Lake City at UFC 291.

Who do you think wins in a potential championship re-run: Alex Pereira or Jiri Prochazka?

Charles Oliveira reveals offer to serve as backup fighter to Conor McGregor – Michael Chandler at UFC 303

Former undisputed lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira has confirmed he has floated the offer to serve as the backup fighter…

Former undisputed lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira has confirmed he has floated the offer to serve as the backup fighter to June’s headlining bout at UFC 303, between ex-two-weight champion, Conor McGregor, and prior foe, Michael Chandler.

Oliveira, the current number two ranked lightweight contender and a former undisputed champion in the division, most recently featured on the main card of UFC 300 last month.

Charles Oliveira weighs up welterweight leap after UFC 300 loss why not move up and do a big fight — Mandatory Credit: Per Haljestam – USA TODAY Sports

Suffering a close, controversial split decision defeat, Oliveira found himself on the wrong side of two of three judge’s scorecards in a judging loss to the surging Armenian force, Arman Tsarukyan in an officially billed title-eliminator.

Charles Oliveira plans to serve as backup fighter at UFC 303

And welcoming a chance to fight as soon as July or even August in a projected summer comeback to the Octagon, Oliveira also revealed he would entertain a “big fight” at the welterweight limit – a first during his storied tenure in the organization.

Alex Pereira defends Charles Oliveira after UFC 300 loss Nobody knows what he's going through — Mandatory Credit: Cooper Neil

Receiving a call out today from Polish contender, Matesuz Gamrot – which has already been rebuffed, Oliveira informed Full Send MMA this evening that he has offered to serve as the backup fighter to the UFC 303 main event fight during International Fight Week between McGregor and Chandler.

“Charles Oliveira says he has offered to be the backup for Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler but if he ends up facing Conor McGregor he definitely wants to negotiate for more money,” Full Send MMA posted on their official Instagram account.

Calling for a fight with McGregor following his loss to Tsarukyan last month, Sao Paulo finishing ace, Oliveira turned in a stunning second round KO win over the above-mentioned, Chandler back in 2021 to win the vacant lightweight championship.

Charles Oliveira out of UFC 288 fight with Beneil Dariush due to injury

Oliveira would go on to defeat both former interim champions, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje in championship fights.

Would you like to see Charles Oliveira serve as the backup to UFC 303’s headliner?

Ilia Topuria denies turning down Alexander Volkanovski rematch fight in Australia: ‘The UFC never offered it’

UFC featherweight Ilia Topuria denies that he had turned down a rematch against Alexander Volkanovski. After his incredible run…

UFC featherweight Ilia Topuria denies that he had turned down a rematch against Alexander Volkanovski.

After his incredible run as featherweight champion, Volkanovski earned the chance at revenge against Ilia Topuria. It was unclear when exactly ‘The Great’ would be fit to return to action after suffering two back-to-back knockout losses.

Ilia Topuria urged to get fighting amid UFC title belt tour it's not coming off great it's just weird — Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez – USA TODAY Sports

However, in a recent episode of his podcast, Joe Rogan claims that Volkanovski was ready to return in August, but that Topuria had turned down the fight.

“But I guess he feels like he’s the champ,” Rogan said. “He can call the shots. I know that he turned down the Perth one — [UFC] 305, the Volkanovski rematch.”

Topuria quickly shut down the claims from Rogan but made it clear that he would rather face Holloway next.

“I never turned down the rematch with Alex as the UFC has never offered me this fight. As I’ve said many times before, I will be the first to knock out Holloway. Let’s keep this simple: Do you want to fight? If the answer is yes, there’s nothing more to discuss. Bring my belt and your pillow”, Topuria tweeted.

I never turned down the rematch with Alex as the UFC has never offered me this fight. As I’ve said many times before, I will be the first to knockout Holloway. Let’s keep this simple: Do you want to fight? If the answer is yes, there's nothing more to discuss. Bring my belt and…

— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) May 1, 2024

Who’s next for Ilia Topuria?

Since Max Holloway’s sensational knockout over Justin Gaethje at UFC 300, the war of words between he and Topuria has ramped up. While the win would come up at lightweight, Holloway has practically jumped the queue at featherweight to challenge Topuria for his title.

‘Blessed’ is one of the hottest names in all of MMA at the moment and a fight against Topuria, who is steadily building his own brand, would be massive. Not rushing back might also do Volkanovski some good considering how heavy the last knockout he suffered was.

Topuria has also recently mentioned No.3 ranked Brian Ortega as a potential opponent after the 33-year-old scored a stoppage victory over Yair Rodriguez.

Who would you like to see Ilia Topuria face next?