Jon Jones referred to as out Stipe Miocic after a dominant first-round submission win over Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 final weekend.
The struggle additionally marked Jones’ return to the octagon after a hiatus of three years. UFC president Dana White claims that he would not be shocked to see ‘Bones’ retire after defending his title in opposition to Miocic. The 53-year-old just lately advised TMZ Sports activities:
“I would not be shocked both if he fights Stipe after which retires and does not struggle once more.”
Discuss of Jones’ potential retirement popped out of nowhere as White was discussing the end result of a possible outing between ‘Bones’ and Francis Ngannou. In response to the UFC president, Ngannou’s UFC 270 conflict in opposition to Gane is proof that ‘The Predator’ additionally would not have stood a lot of an opportunity in opposition to Jones. White advised TMZ:
“Let me inform you what, I believe, lots of different individuals really feel this manner, I believe that is precisely the way in which the struggle would’ve gone if [Ngannou] was in there, too. [Francis] and Ciryl had a five-round battle, and if Ciryl does not go for that submission, Ciryl most likely wins that struggle. On the finish of the fifth spherical there.”
Catch White’s interview with TMZ beneath:
UFC 290 on July 8 in Worldwide Battle Week is reportedly the date being focused for the Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic struggle.
Francis Ngannou responds to accusations of ‘working’ from Jon Jones
Francis Ngannou vacated his heavyweight title and exited the UFC earlier this 12 months after failed contract negotiations spanning over a 12 months. The hopes of a possible outing between Ngannou and Jon Jones had been endlessly shattered after Dana White just lately dismissed the potential for ‘The Predator’ returning to the UFC.
Whereas Dana White is understood to have pushed the ‘working’ narrative with a number of fighters, Jones additionally just lately blamed Ngannou for his or her struggle falling via. Nevertheless, the previous heavyweight champ claims to have executed every part in his capability to make the struggle come to fruition.
In response to Ngannou, the UFC used Jones’ matchup as a bargaining chip to attempt to hold him within the promotion. The 36-year-old advised ESPN:
“I did every part to have that struggle…It didn’t simply occur, however on the finish I felt like that was the cut price [chip for the UFC] to maintain me, possibly [to convince me to] do one thing that I don’t need simply because I would like that struggle. Sure, I needed that struggle, however not at any price.”
Catch Ngannou’s feedback beneath: