Pros react to champ Jon Jones saying he’ll vacate UFC light heavyweight title

Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

A public battle between UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones and UFC President Dana White took an unexpected turn on Sunday when Jones claimed he will vacate his title.

The news came less than 24 hours after White downplayed Jones’ value to the promotion and said the champ could sit out or fight, but he added there would be no $30 million payday he said “Bones” demanded during negotiations for a heavyweight superfight against Francis Ngannou. Jones has accused White of being untruthful about what happened and earlier asked to be released from contract.

Check out how pros reacted to the Jones news below.

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Disappointing if it is true and he is serious, but the show must go on. https://t.co/HhmbR2VMZR

— Dominick Reyes (@DomReyes) May 31, 2020

Gotta do what’s best for you @JonnyBones There is always another option tho. @BellatorMMA would love to run it back. Respect https://t.co/iukeArqkBd

— Ryan Bader (@ryanbader) May 31, 2020

Tough place for @ufc 125- Vacant 135- Vacant 145, 155, 185- can’t leave country due to corona 205- vacant HWT- busy doing his other job https://t.co/dHrVysmuCc

— Anhyzer Askren (@Benaskren) May 31, 2020

Maybe Cormier vs NGannou for interim HWT title.

— Anhyzer Askren (@Benaskren) May 31, 2020

That being said he will have a really tough time forcing their hand into paying him more.

— Anhyzer Askren (@Benaskren) May 31, 2020

Despite the fact that @ufc needs stars more right now that ever is weighed against their historic resistance to give pay bumps when pushed

— Anhyzer Askren (@Benaskren) May 31, 2020

My bet is he sits out a while. Gets a small pay bump but still not what he is worth and then we have the same situation in 12-18 months

— Anhyzer Askren (@Benaskren) May 31, 2020