Jon Jones vacates UFC belt, says negotiating for heavyweight fight

FILE – Jon Jones steps on the scale during the UFC 247 ceremonial weigh-in at Toyota Center on February 07, 2020 in Houston, Texas. Ronald Martinez/Getty Images/AFP

STOCKHOLM–Jon Jones announced on social media that he has vacated the UFC light heavyweight title following a public spat over pay with the fight promotion company.

Jones, whose only professional loss in 27 fights came by way of disqualification, has been the dominant force in the division for almost a decade, but bans for doping and issues outside the octagon have tarnished his otherwise stellar fighting record.

“Just got off the phone with the UFC, today I confirm that I’m vacating the light heavyweight championship. It’s officially up for grabs,” Jones wrote on Twitter, adding in a subsequent tweet that the promoter refused to renegotiate his pay.

“In good faith I will be staying in the (USADA) testing pool for probably the next half year or so. I’ll continue to lift weights and train all the different martial arts.”

But in another tweet, Jones said that he had a “positive” conversation with the promotion regarding his move up to heavyweight.

Just had a really positive conversation with @Ufc. Sounds like there will be negotiations for my next fight at heavy weight. All good news, the weight gaining process begins.

— BONY (@JonnyBones) August 17, 2020

“Sounds like there will be negotiations for my next fight at heavy weight. All good news, the weight gaining process begins,” Jones said.

“Was going to challenge a light heavyweight to beat my world championship record but we all know that’s probably not happening in this lifetime.”