UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones shed some light on the biggest issues faced by UFC fighters.
Within a span of a month, UFC’s biggest stars are either holding off from competing again or are retired from the sport. Henry Cejudo retired from the sport after allegedly being unhappy with his contract.
Jon Jones refusing to fight Francis Ngannou for less money. Jorge Masvidal getting less to fight UFC welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman than he did for fighting Nate Diaz at UFC 244. Rising bantamweight contender Sean O’Malley wanting a hike in his salary following a devastating win over Eddie Wineland. Last but least, UFC superstar Conor McGregor retiring from the sport following frustrations with the organization.
Meanwhile, Dana White stated that he isn’t forcing anyone to fight unless they want to fight inside the cage.
Jon Jones fires back at Dana White
Following UFC 250, UFC president Dana White addressed the media and stated that the fighters don’t have to fight. He also stated that the ongoing pandemic has tied the promotion’s hands and he can’t do much about fighters not wanting to compete in this environment.
“If you don’t think I want to throw up my hands and say f** this s**. The amount of people I have gunning at me right now is insane. The amount of people I have gunning for me right now is insane!”
“You don’t have to fight. If these guys want to sit out and retire, if that’s what Conor McGregor, Jon Jones, and Jorge Masvidal are feeling right now, I feel you. One a certain level, I understand it! We’ve been here before, this has happened to us before, more than once too.”
Jon Jones fired back at Dana White for his statement about fighters not wanting to fight.
It’s not a matter of not wanting to fight, I committed my whole life to this trade. The issue is not being able to go anywhere else. @espn
— BONY (@JonnyBones) June 8, 2020
“It’s not a matter of not wanting to fight, I committed my whole life to this trad. The issue is not being able to go anywhere else ESPN.” Jon Jones tweeted.
Jorge Masvidal goes the Jon Jones route
Last week, Jorge Masvidal fired a barrage of tweets asking the UFC to release him. He stated that he was getting paid half the amount for his title fight. Masvidal also stated that he isn’t an independent contractor as UFC states because, when signed to a contract he can’t fight for other organisation until he completes the number of fights left in his current contract.
If I’m not worth it let me go @espn
— Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter) June 5, 2020
“If I’m not worth it let me go,” Masvidal tweeted.
I’m not an independent contractor if I can’t go anywhere else to make a living. Let me go and let me see if I’m worth it @espn #supernecessary
— Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter) June 5, 2020
“I’m not an independent contractor if I can’t go anywhere else to make a living. Let me go and let me see if I’m worth it,” Masvidal tweeted.
ALSO READ:
Jorge Masvidal goes the Jon Jones route; asks Dana White for UFC release