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Jon Jones is
no longer king of the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s light
heavyweight division.
The reigning light heavyweight champion announced via Twitter on
Monday that he has officially vacated his 205-pound belt.
“Just got off the phone with [the UFC],” Jones wrote. “Today I
confirm that I’m vacating the light heavyweight championship. It’s
officially up for grabs. It’s been an amazing journey, sincere
thank you to all my competition, UFC and most importantly, you
fans.”
Just got off the phone with @Ufc, today I
confirm that I’m vacating the light heavyweight championship. It’s
officially up for grabs. It’s been an amazing journey, sincere
thank you to all my competition, Ufc and most importantly you
fans.— BONY (@JonnyBones)
August 17, 2020
Jones threatened to vacate the belt while engaged in a
public dispute with the UFC over money for a potential move to
heavyweight and a fight with Francis
Ngannou earlier this year.
“Bones out. When you see me in the streets just call me JJ,” Jones
wrote in May. “To the light heavyweight title veni, vidi,
vici.”
While the move may seem to hint that Jones is planning a transition
to heavyweight, it appears the bitter feelings of the previous
negotiations still linger for the Jackson-Wink MMA standout. In a
separate tweet, Jones wrote that he plans on enjoying the UFC as a
fan while posting a link to his charity, entitled C.A.R.E. Project.
“The last I spoke with [the UFC} about my salary there was no
negotiating,” Jones wrote. “If that ever changes, i’d love to come
back and compete again as a heavyweight. Until then, I’ll be
enjoying UFC has a fan and doing my best to take care of my family
and community.”
The last I spoke with @UFC about my
salary there was no negotiating. If that ever changes, i’d love to
come back and compete again as a heavyweight. Until then, I’ll be
enjoying Ufc has a fan and doing my best to take care of my family
and community https://t.co/NoTTpRTMH0— BONY (@JonnyBones)
August 17, 2020
Jones expressed a
renewed interest in moving up to heavyweight in the aftermath
of the UFC 252 main event, which saw Stipe
Miocic defeat Daniel
Cormier via unanimous decision on Saturday night in Las
Vegas.
“Heavyweight championships I will be seeing you real soon,” he
wrote Saturday on Twitter. “Victorious.”
For the time being, it appears that Jones and the UFC are still
relatively far apart when it comes to financial matters.
Regardless, Jones’ decision to vacate the light heavyweight belt
marks the end of an era in the Las Vegas-based promotion. Jones
became the youngest champion in UFC history when he defeated
Mauricio
Rua at UFC 128 and despite drug test failures and issues
outside of the cage, is widely regarded as the greatest light
heavyweight of all-time.
Jones last competed at UFC 247, where he earned a contentious
decision victory over Dominick
Reyes on Feb. 8.