“You have tarnished your reputation quite well”: what is known about Jones’s conflict with the head of the UFC over the fight with Ngannu

In recent days, one of the most discussed events in the world of mixed martial arts has become a public conflict between the president of the Absolute Fighting Championship (UFC) Dan White and the leader of the rating regardless of weight categories John Jones. The head of the promotion said that the fighter requires high fees, and he, in turn, accused his employer of lying.

The reason for the skirmish was the potential fight of Jones with another MMA superstar Francis Ngannu. In mid-May, the light heavyweight champion announced that he wanted to move to the next weight category and fight for a solid prize in it.

“Who, in your opinion, has a faster and more technical strike - Thiago Santos or Francis Ngannu? If you think that I will not accept this fight, then you are crazy. I already have absolutely nothing to prove light heavyweight. Now I want to fight for a lot of money. Send me the contract, ”Jones wrote on Twitter a month and a half after his last arrest.

Ngannu - one of the best knockouts in the UFC, answered him. He made it clear that he was also interested in holding a duel with Jones for the money.

“If you think you can handle my technique, then that's great. But I agree that you have nothing to prove light heavyweight and that the next fight should be for money bags, ”said Ngannu.

Jones and Ngannu could not play the heavyweight championship belt - now they are arguing for him, Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier. But for the interest that would have caused their duel, he would have definitely overshadowed any other fight in the coming year. It would be beneficial for both fighters and the UFC to organize such a meeting, especially since Jones is no longer able to find worthy rivals in his category.

In his first commentary on this fight, White said that "anything is possible." But it soon became clear that the organization of such a fight was a big question. At first, Ngannu said that he did not believe in the battle and reminded that a good reward should be due to him for entering the ring.

“I don’t think our fight with John Jones will take place. People have been saying for years that he will go on to gain weight. If he really goes for it, then I would like to have a fight. But for this fight I will have to pay a lot of money, because it's a superboy. It should be worth it, ”NJNNU told BJ Penn.

Jones made a much tougher statement. He announced that negotiations with the UFC about the fight with Ngannu immediately came to a standstill, and threatened to suspend his career if his conditions were not met.

“Incredible. Even before discussing the amount, the UFC said they did not want to pay me more for the superboy with Francis and the transition to heavy weight. They told me that I could make more money on paid broadcasts ... It was fun with you, maybe we'll see you in a year or two. Maybe if you’re better prepared to do business, then I’ll be back, and until then I’ll take care of my health, form and family, ”Jones told his subscribers.

White has denied the wrestler’s words that they didn’t even talk about money. He stated that Jones immediately began to demand an increased fee, which they could not go to in the promotion.

“Listen, it's one thing to say,“ I want a little more money. ” But how much Jones asked ... First of all, it would be logical to have a fight with Dominic Reyes. Will Jones fight Ngannu and claim the heavyweight title? I do not think so. He himself never wanted to lift in heavy weight. And for the money that he asks for, this will never happen. It’s hard to come up with the worst time to ask for such an absurd amount, ”said the head of the UFC in an interview with ESPN.

Jones was very upset by these words. He accused White of lying and assured that he did not demand extraordinary amounts from the promotion for the fight with Ngannu.

“A curious sight when your boss lies on camera. We never discussed raising fees. They told me right away that I already earn enough. I have never offered any numbers. If you are not going to rewrite my contract due to the transition to heavy weight, then at least be honest with the fans ... I never asked for any crazy money, this is complete nonsense, ”the light heavyweight champion replied.

The fighter expressed the hope that the UFC is just waiting for a better moment to organize the fight, and assured the fans that he is not going to fight with the promotion and is not angry with White. However, relations between them grew tense again after the head of the promotion said that Jones demanded the same fee as the boxer Deontay Wilder received for the last fight with Tyson Fury, that is, about $ 30 million. 

Jones again denied White's words and stated that he only wanted to get more of his usual fees, since the fight with Ngannu could be a big event in the world of MMA. The leader of the UFC rating, regardless of weight categories, proposed to complete the cooperation and let it go.

“Do not be a damn liar, my reputation has been dealt a lot of blows. I don't need this nonsense. I never asked for a fee, like with Wilder. Since he earns $ 30 million, what about half of that? You yourself called me the greatest fighter in history. I don't get even a quarter of what Wilder has. If my reputation makes you underestimate me like that, then just break the contract with me. I’m sure some promoter will be happy to work with me ... Yes, I earn more than $ 5 million per battle. Should I be content with this for the superboy? No. If you do not agree with this, then you simply do not understand anything in business. I definitely didn’t ask for $ 30 million, not even close, ”the athlete replied.

Jones really has a reputation as one of the most scandalous fighters in history. In the past, he repeatedly had problems with the law and violated anti-doping rules, for which he was suspended from action. White said that the fighter himself was to blame for his unsightly image, and made it clear that he would allow Jones himself to manage his career at his discretion.

“He can do what he wants. He wants to sit out, fight - anything. He can say anything, it is his right. He can return when he wants. Once he said that I had messed up his reputation. Did I do that? You yourself dabbed it pretty well, ”White said to Jones.

The athlete did not leave these statements unanswered. In his latest angry tirade on Twitter, Jones invited White to answer for his words and terminate the contract with him, and also shared his thoughts on a possible move to boxing, where he could receive decent fees.

“I did not demand anything from you, I just wanted to get a superboy and compensation for him. You were the first to discuss it publicly and show the whole world how you underpaid your athletes ... If you are such a cool guy who says that he doesn’t care, then reinforce the words with deed and free me from the contract ... I would surely , was able to earn in one boxing match more than three fights in the UFC. You can do real estate, be an actor or just score on everything and be a father. There’s no reason for anyone to put up with White’s lies, ”Jones said.

Any outcome of this skirmish between Jones and White can be sensational for mixed martial arts, whether it is the transfer of the UFC champion to boxing, to another promotion or still a fight with Ngannu. And if, as both sides assure, only the monetary issue is unresolved, then the latter option is the most likely.