Jon Jones Claims he's Vacating his Light Heavyweight Title

Mandatory Credit: Sean M. Haffey 

Jon 'Bones' Jones has claimed tonight that he will revoke his UFC light heavyweight championship and called for a title bout between former opponent, Dominick Reyes, and Jan Błachowicz.

Jones' apparent decision to hand in his championship comes off the back of tumultuous negotiations with the promotion ahead of a possible heavyweight division bow, opposite one-time title challenger, Francis 'The Predator' Ngannou. The 32-year-old asked for his contract release and called UFC president, Dana White a "f**king liar" - after the organizational head-honcho explained how Jones had asked for a purse similar to Deontay Wilder if he were to stand opposite Ngannou in a heavyweight "superfight".

Jones explained how a number never arose during initial talks with the promotion, despite White's claims he had pursed a purse of $30 million, in negotiations which have spilled out into the public forum.

On his official Twitter account this Sunday night, the Jackson-Wink MMA staple suggested a pairing between top-contenders Reyes, and Błachowicz for the 205-pound crown should be next - and when asked if he was revoking his title, replied simply, "yes".

"#ESPN (Dominick) Reyes vs. Jan (Błachowicz) For the UFC light heavyweight championship of the world. As of right now, I got nothing to really gain fighting either of them. Let me know if you guys want to set up a day in 2021 for that Izzy (Israel Adesanya) fight. Hopefully you guys will be willing to pay by then."

#ESPN Reyes vs Jan For the UFC light heavyweight championship of the world. As of right now, I got nothing to really gain fighting either of them. Let me know if you guys want to set up a day in 2021 for that Izzy fight. Hopefully you guys will be willing to pay by then.

— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) May 31, 2020

The Rochester native then confirmed his decision to revoke the crown, before explaining if anyone runs into him on the street - they should call him, "JJ". In terms of 205-pound gold, which Jones has won twice, he came, he saw, and he conquered.

Yes https://t.co/QHDrkMtBeI

— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) May 31, 2020

 "Bones out, when you see me in the streets just call me JJ"

Bones out, when you see me in the streets just call me JJ 🤙🏾

— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) May 31, 2020

"To the light heavyweight title Veni, vidi, vici"

To the light heavyweight title Veni, vidi, vici

— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) May 31, 2020

In a final tweet, Jones replied to a user who explained that he was causing more harm to himself than he was to the promotion. The look-see-do fighter revealed he wasn't sure if his current pay reflected the punishment he's endured when he enters the Octagon.

"I hurt myself every time I walk out there and take a punch to the head and Not feel my pay is worth it anymore."

I hurt myself every time I walk out there and take a punch to the head and Not feel my pay is worth it anymore. https://t.co/X3BjGA9d02

— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) May 31, 2020