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UFC fighter Jon Jones has an issue with Dana White. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Jon Jones blasts Dana White, says UFC won't budget move to heavyweight

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 5/29/20

While speaking with ESPN's Brett Okamoto on Thursday, UFC boss Dana White explained that light heavyweight champion Jon Jones "couldn’t be asking for a more absurd amount of money at a worse time" regarding a move to the heavyweight division and a fight with Francis Ngannou leading up to a potential heavyweight title bout versus either current champion Stipe Miocic or Daniel Cormier.

"For the amount of money [Jon Jones is] asking for, it’s not gonna happen. You couldn’t be asking for a more absurd amount of money at a worse time.”@danawhite on why Jones vs. Ngannou won't happen right now (via @bokamotoESPN) pic.twitter.com/JrNewyK4d3
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) May 28, 2020

Those who have followed Jones' career knows "Bones" wouldn't keep silent about White's comments.

Late Thursday evening and into Friday morning, Jones unleashed a Twitter tirade and claimed White lied during the ESPN segment.

It’s interesting to just sit here and watch your boss lie to the camera like this. We never discussed any increase in pay. Immediately the conversation was that I already made enough. I never made a number offer. https://t.co/YYx4FMHeIs
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) May 29, 2020

If you’re not going to change my contract for the heavyweight move, at least have the decency to be honest with the fans.
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) May 29, 2020

"I never asked for an absurd amount of money," added the 32-year-old seen by many as the most gifted and talented professional mixed martial arts athlete in history. Jones also called White's comments "bull----," and claimed the UFC didn't want to pay for his temporary switch to heavyweight.

I’m not going to give up hope the way I’m taking this whole thing is @Ufc don’t want to budget the Jon Jones heavyweight move up right now. They should’ve just said that, lying on me and saying I asked for too much it’s just unfair. That was unnecessary.
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) May 29, 2020

Jones also lamented that UFC "shut down" what would've been an anticipated bout versus Ngannou, who is on a four-fight winning streak and who knocked Jairzinho Rozenstruik out in 20 seconds at UFC 249 on May 9.

You already let me down a bit by shutting down this Francis Mega fight, don’t add salt to the wound by telling the fans something that’s not the truth.
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) May 29, 2020

if you’re wondering I’m not fighting with Ufc. I’m not mad at Dana or beefing. Just surprised he went that route. I said my piece, I’m over it
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) May 29, 2020

While White did name Jones as the greatest UFC fighter of all time, he reiterated on ESPN's "First Take" on Friday that the champion was "asking for an obscene amount of money. And if Jon Jones wants to speak publicly and say what the number was, that's up to him."

"There's no debate. Jon Jones is the GOAT."@danawhite explains why he believes @JonnyBones is the best to ever do it (via @bokamotoESPN) pic.twitter.com/ABxVlsVLFP
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) May 28, 2020

Dana White on First Take (@FirstTake) this morning: Let me just put it this way. Jon Jones wasn't asking for $5 million more dollars; he was asking for an obscene amount of money. And if Jon Jones wants to speak publicly and say what the number was, that's up to him.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) May 29, 2020

Also on Thursday, White told Okamoto that he and former two-division champion Conor McGregor "have not talked about fighting" and suggested that McGregor should wait things out before booking a next match, perhaps one that would main-event a show on Fight Island.

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