Because it was introduced that the White Home will host a UFC occasion on its grounds subsequent summer time in commemoration the America 250 celebration marking the 250th anniversary of the Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence, a number of fighters have lobbied to be on the combat card.
One of the high-profile fighters that is pushed the toughest to be a part of the historic occasion has been former two-division champion Jon Jones.
UFC CEO Dana White has all however closed the door on Jones competing on the White Home citing it being too massive of a ‘danger.’
“I am unable to danger placing him (Jones) in massive positions, in an enormous spot and have one thing go unsuitable,” mentioned White in the course of the UFC 318 Put up-Struggle Press Convention on July 19. “Particularly the White Home card.”
Jones has an unlikely ally in his pursuit to combat on the White Home, fellow former two-division UFC titleholder and rival Daniel Cormier.
“Jon Jones has acknowledged publicly he desires to combat on the White Home. He’ll inform anybody that’ll hear,” Cormier mentioned on his YouTube channel. “However Dana appears extra stern in not letting him at present than I’ve ever seen him with reference to Jon Jones.”
“This time he looks like he isn’t going to again down and permit for him to be on this White Home card,” continued Cormier. “And if I am being utterly trustworthy, I do not know if I agree with it. I believe I might let him combat.”
Jones and White have had a tumultuous relationship through the years. The one UFC occasion to be canceled for non-pandemic associated causes concerned Jones. There have been failed drug checks, authorized points outdoors of the cage, and drawn-out contract negotiations. Let’s simply say Jones is not excessive up on White’s record of favourite fighters to work with. Regardless of White reluctance, Cormier believes Jones needs to be featured on the combat card.
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“I believe, if he desires to combat, I might let him combat as a result of for as a lot as combined martial arts is a worldwide sport, and it is a sport that everyone loves, and we help individuals from all all over the world, on the finish of the day we’re combating on the White Home,” Cormier mentioned.
“You need American individuals that may win on the finish of the evening,” he added. “Think about if we’re on the White Home garden and the Individuals aren’t profitable fights. And that would occur as a result of when the opening line for McGregor vs. Chandler comes out, Chandler goes to be a fairly substantial underdog, as he needs to be. Although Conor hasn’t fought in ceaselessly, he’ll nonetheless be the favourite to beat Michael Chandler.
“However in the event you put Jon Jones towards Tom Aspinall, for everyone that claims Tom Aspinall is the man to beat him, when that line opens I guess Jon Jones continues to be going to be the favourite. He’ll nonetheless be the favourite to beat Tom Aspinall. He’ll be the man that is the world champion, or no less than was the world champion earlier than he vacated his title and retired, so he’ll nonetheless be the favourite to win that combat.”
Cormier raises a legitimate level. The combat card has to function stellar matchups but additionally American fighters with strong possibilities of profitable. Profitable is all Jones has finished his complete profession.
“I consider that you have to let him combat,” Cormier mentioned. “We’ve no American guys within the Prime 10 Pound-for-Pound (rankings) since Jon Jones retired. That is loopy.
“Come on. Come on, boss. It is me asking you to present Jon Jones an opportunity. That is loopy.”