Dana White uncertain of the fighting future of Jon Jones: ‘Nobody’s going to force Jon Jones to fight’
UFC president, Dana White doesn’t know if Jon Jones will fight again.
After Jones beat Dominick Reyes at UFC 247 to defend his belt, he vacated his title in order to pursue a heavyweight move. The plan was for him to face the winner of Stipe Miocic vs. Francis Ngannou 2 for the belt. Yet, talks between the UFC and Jones have not progressed and White said they are now looking at Ngannou vs. Lewis 2 which leaves Jones on the outside looking in.
“There’s fights available. They’re here. I’m going to keep making fights every weekend, doing fights,” White said after UFC 262. “If Jon Jones wants to fight, he can, if he doesn’t, he doesn’t have to. Nobody’s going to force Jon Jones to fight. He’s had a great run. He’s got an incredible legacy. I personally see him as the GOAT. Right now, you’ve got guys that are nipping at his heels like (Kamaru) Usman and some other guys out there. It’s up to him. He can fight this summer, or he can never fight again. That’s up to him.”
The main reason why Jon Jones hasn’t made the move to heavyweight is due to pay. He is looking to make money similar to what Deontay Wilder makes in boxing, as both men have drawn similar pay-per-view numbers in the past. Yet, White has made it clear that is too much money and they won’t be paying “Bones” that much.
However, even if Jon Jones does never fight again due to the pay dispute, the UFC boss still believes Jones is the GOAT until someone catches him. But, for now, his legacy is secured whether or not he fights again.
“Right here, right now, he could retire, and I still consider him the GOAT until somebody else accomplishes what he has,” White said.
