Jon Jones said he is relinquishing the light heavyweight title as he announces his departure from the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
The pound-for-pound king has been on a heated feud with UFC president Dana White since the promotion denied him a pay raise for a potential clash with heavyweight knockout artist, Francis Ngannou.
Last week, Jones took aim at White, who claimed he was asking $30 million for the Ngannou super fight – the same amount Deontay Wilder reportedly cashed in on his most recent clash with Tyson Fury.
“If you’re going to stick to these lies, I’m going to stick to defending myself. Please have your lawyer Hunter Campbell release those text messages,” Jones wrote on Twitter.
“Don’t be a f**king liar. My reputation has already taken enough hits. I don’t need this bullsh*t, Dana. I never asked for Deontay Wilder’s numbers. And how about since Deontay is making $30 million, we settle for half of that. Since you said I’m the GOAT and everything.”
Don’t be a fucking liar, my reputation has already taking enough hits. I don’t need this bullshit Dana. I never asked for Diante Wilder‘s numbers. And how about since Diante is making 30 million, we settle for half of that. Since you said I’m the goat and everything.
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) May 29, 2020
“I don’t even make half of half of what Diante Wilder makes. If my reputation causes you to undervalue me this much. Just go ahead and release me from my @Ufc contract altogether. I’m sure some promoter somewhere will be more than happy to pick me up,” Jones continued.
I don’t even make half of half of what Diante Wilder makes. If my reputation causes you to undervalue me this much. Just go ahead and release me from my @Ufc contract altogether. I’m sure some promoter somewhere will be more than happy to pick me up.
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) May 29, 2020
“And if I wanted to compare money to someone else, I would compare money to my brothers. I see firsthand the way the NFL treats their champion athletes, there’s a huge difference. I’ve kept my mouth shut my entire career.”
“Do I make 5+ per fight yes. Should I stick to that number for my super fights? No. If you don’t agree with me you just don’t know business. I certainly didn’t ask for 30, never even threw out a number,” he added.
Jon Jones Goes Off on Dana White, Release Me From UFC Contract!
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Jon Jones goes to Dana White and the UFClos – claims the company is lying about its contractual claims to fight Francis Ngannou … and now Jon is demanding his release. pic.twitter.com/rOiASjtbl7— Yourupdate (@Yourupdate31) May 29, 2020
White has responded to Jones’ recent Twitter rant, saying it was the light heavyweight champ who has “done a very good job of tarnishing” his own legacy.
“He can do whatever he wants. He wants to sit out, fight, he can do whatever. He can say whatever he wants publicly. It’s his God-given right in America. He can say whatever he wants.”
“When he’s ready to come back, he can. In one of his tweets, he said I tarnished his name. I tarnished you? You’ve done a very good job of tarnishing you,” White said at the UFC Las Vegas press conference.
https://twitter.com/SpinninBackfist/status/1267118840317648898
Following White’s comments, Jones announced on Twitter he is vacating the light heavyweight throne while suggesting Jan Blachowicz and Dominick Reyes should fight for the vacant title.
ESPN’s Ariel Helwani reported: “Jon Jones tweeted earlier that he is vacating his 205-pound title. I’m told he is serious about this and ready to stick to his guns. Now, can this evolve at any moment and change after a phone call or two? Believe so. But as of right now that is his real stance, sources say.”
https://twitter.com/JonnyBones/status/1267189653632724992
To the light heavyweight title Veni, vidi, vici
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) May 31, 2020
(Featured Image Source: Instagram/ UFC and Jon Jones)