UFC president Dana White and light heavyweight champion Jon Jones have had differences in the past but nothing like what’s transpired in the days since Jones went public with failed negotiations for a heavyweight superfight with Francis Ngannou. Both White and Jones have publicly accused the other of lying about what really transpired, leading Jones to claim he’s ready to relinquish his title while asking for the UFC to release him.
Has this gone too far? Moreover, is Jones smart for tempting the UFC to release him? Dave Doyle, Nolan King and Farah Hannoun sound off in the latest Triple Take.
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Dave Doyle: Is the UFC smart for letting things get to this point?
This entire escapade started with Jon Jones wanting to step up and take a superfight with Francis Ngannou. Jones, after years of teasing, was finally willing to not just step up to heavyweight but to do so against the most dangerous man in the division.
All he asked for was a bump in pay commensurate to the challenge. Instead, White not only shot down his request, but he did so in a needlessly disrespectful manner.
This episode has brought attention to the fact that a company valued at $7 billion, which has the financial wherewithal to create a venue on an island in international waters in order to keep churning out Fight Night-level events, drastically underpays the fighters who literally shed blood for their company’s profits. Jones is arguably the company’s second biggest pay-per-view draw behind Conor McGregor, but his highest guaranteed disclosed pay has been $500,000, a number which wouldn’t get even a B-level boxing draw out of bed in the morning, much less into the ring.
Jones already proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that he’s on the short list of the greatest fighters of all time. He’s dominated his division as long as any other great fighter in history. If Jones and the UFC part ways, whoever won the belt next may as well have gotten it out of a gumball machine for all the credibility it will have.
The UFC, on the other hand, is risking losing Jones right after Henry Cejudo walked out, and at a time when Daniel Cormier has just one fight left. This isn’t 2007 when Randy Couture got caught in the company’s crosshairs. The company is no longer a scrappy underdog with a never-ending supply of stars. Sure, the UFC will continue making a huge profit with or without Jones, but did you start watching this sport to root for the promoter’s bank account, or did you watch it because you wanted to see the best fight the best? This all started because a guy who imports snow into the desert for his son’s birthday didn’t want to give his best fighter another dime to take on a huge challenge.
For Jones, right and wrong is what matters here. And the UFC sure wasn’t smart to let things get to this point.
Next page – Nolan King: Not for his immediate future, but it’s helpful for fighter pay as a whole
Nolan King: Not for his immediate future, but it’s helpful for fighter pay as a whole
Jon Jones is in a unique position. Sure, he doesn’t have Conor McGregor’s popularity, but he’s still one of MMA’s biggest draws. UFC president Dana White, as recently as last week, called him the GOAT and frankly, it’s hard to argue he’s not.
Recently, Jones and the UFC have made this spat very public and personal. Not many stars have been willing to go there with the UFC. We’re in somewhat uncharted territory here, especially given the nature of how nasty the back-and-forth has become.
For years, many, including myself, have said that fighter pay issues won’t get better if those at the top don’t speak out. That’s what’s happening here. Now when White does interviews, he’s asked tough questions about fighter pay. The business side of the sport is slowly creeping into the No. 1 slot of the regular questions White receives.
Parting ways or stripping Jones would cause collateral damage to the UFC, if the promotion ever went either (or both) of those routes. However, I doubt they’ll release him. In fact, I’d be willing to say there’s no chance in hell. More than likely, the UFC would put Jones on hold.
If it comes down to a pissing contest against the UFC, that’s a fight I’m not sure Jones can win. The UFC is a well oiled machine, which has had its fair share of skirmishes with numerous notable fighters over the years. Almost always, the UFC comes out on top.
Next page – Farah Hannoun: I don’t think the UFC bites, but it won’t be smart to relinquish the title, either
Farah Hannoun: I don’t think the UFC bites, but it won’t be smart to relinquish the title, either
Dana White has butt heads with numerous stars in the UFC, so this is nothing new for him. White is also known to move on rather quickly from fighters who choose to retire or threaten not to compete on upcoming cards.
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones is arguably the greatest fighter of all time, and while he does not pull Conor McGregor numbers, he certainly draws more than the majority of fighters on the roster – especially when he has the right dancing partner.
I think Jones has a right to ask for more money if he’s going to move up in weight and take on one of the fastest rising stars and knockout artists in Francis Ngannou, but if he relinquishes his belt, he’s only harming himself.
The division will move on without him, and if things get eventually sorted with the UFC, he likely won’t have as much bargaining power without the title. If Jones chooses to sit out until he resolves his issue with the UFC, the promotion could come up with an interim belt, but that likely won’t matter for Jones.
There’s no doubt that the relationship between White and Jones has severely soured with both men accusing each other of lying, but this is a problem that can be resolved in due time, especially since White has continuously stated that he thinks Jones is the greatest of all time.
So would he really release him? I doubt it. Just don’t relinquish your title, Jon.
