UFC: Dana White says Jon Jones ‘could’ve been the LeBron James of MMA’ but has ‘tarnished’ his career

UFC president White says Jones could have been as big as NBA star LeBron were it not for past mishaps

White adds that being the greatest of all time ‘doesn’t mean you get 30 million dollars’ as feud over pay continues

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UFC president Dana White speaks at a news conference in New York after UFC 249 was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic in April. Photo: AP

Published: 3:39pm, 31 May 2020Updated: 10:33pm, 31 May 2020

UFC president Dana White went off on light heavyweight champion Jon Jones for accusing him of lying and threatening to leave the promotion after talks of a move up to heavyweight broke down this week.

Jones (26-1, one no contest) beat Dominick Reyes via unanimous decision in February and has spent the last month manoeuvring for a “super fight” with Francis Ngannou.

“Bones” demanded on social media that White released their text messages after White said Jones was looking for the same payday as boxer Deontay Wilder – somewhere in the region of US$30 million. Jones said he did not explicitly give a number and that White had damaged his reputation.

“Who do you believe? It’s up to you guys, but what the f*** would I lie for?” White said at the UFC Fight Night post-fight press conference on Saturday. “I could care less, to be honest with you.

“I’ve always said this about Jon Jones. I’m always looking at what Jon Jones could have been. He could have been the LeBron [James] of this sport. He could literally have been that big.”