Jon Jones handed UFC belt back to Dana White – | Sports News

Jon Jones is named the best UFC fighter of all time, and contemplating the accolades he is accrued in his profession, his resume speaks for itself – although there was a time when even he declined a title. 

Jones has little or no left to accomplish in MMA, although a battle with Tom Aspinall continues to hover over him as followers and Dana White await the 37-12 months-outdated’s determination. While UFC followers clamor for a battle between Aspinall and Jones, the legend has shot down all rumors, at one level posting a touch upon social media seemingly geared toward these wanting him to battle the Brit. 

Considering how completed Jones is at this level in his profession, he’s very selective together with his choices. That is a trait that he has carried all through his profession, as evidenced by what he did after defeating Ovince Saint Preux at UFC 197. 

The two met in April 2016 and it was clear Saint Preux was overmatched. Saint Preux was a fill-in for Daniel Cormier after the latter had to withdraw from the 205-pound title battle due to a leg harm he sustained. 

As such, Saint Preux was tabbed to tackle Jones for the interim title, and early on, Jones took charge of the battle, en route to a win by way of unanimous determination. After defeating his opponent, Jones was given the title earlier than he returned to White, claiming he didn’t need the interim title. 

“I don’t think I want that belt. It’s not the real belt. I want my actual belt back,” Jones stated on the time to UFC commentator and podcaster Joe Rogan. He then claimed that his battle in opposition to Saint Preux was simply a approach for the company to get a bout in for the star after Cormier’s harm. 

He added: “Hey, everything’s happened for a reason. You know, maybe I was meant to get in here and get a fight out of the way. Definitely took me a while to pull the trigger tonight, and I felt like I used, like, 20 percent of the technique I actually know So, sorry, guys.

“If you were not glad with the battle, I’m sorry. I positively gave it my best. Like I stated, the whole lot occurred for a motive. Maybe I used to be meant to have a battle earlier than beating DC.” Although Saint Preux was on the receiving end of a beating from Jones and had watched his opponent essentially discard the title, the American gave Jones his props. 

“I simply needed to come out right here,” he began after the loss. “You know, John was pound for pound the best fighter that ever got here by combined martial arts. And for me to are available in there and do what I did, I believe I’m fairly proud of myself. You know, I solely had three weeks to prepare for the camp. I gave the whole lot I acquired, and I believe I did a fairly good job.”

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For now, it remains to be seen who Jones will fight next and if he will answer the call to fight Aspinall. Although the man himself has shot down any notion of a potential fight, White believes that it is only a matter of time before Jones and Aspinall are staring each other down in the octagon. 

“The battle goes to occur,” White told TNT Sports in late March. “It’s simply a matter of when now, getting it signed and achieved. The battle will occur.”

“It’s going to occur,” he continued. “It’s achieved however it’s not achieved. Not achieved enough to sit proper right here now and announce it and offer you a date. But the battle goes to occur. It’s simply a matter of getting it signed now.”