UFC President intends to book Jones vs Johnson for a title shot

In April 2015, J. Jones (left) and A. Johnson (right) simulated a fight and drove Dana White to despair. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter

the shadow of Jon Jones continues to haunt the light heavyweight category. Dana White, president of the UFC, stated that he intends to arrange a fight between Jon Jones e Anthony Johnson for the position of next challenger to the Daniel Cormier, current category champion. Cormier, who has not defended his title since October 2015, still has no defined opponent.

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In a statement to the “UFC Unfiltered” podcast (USA), Dana said that a possible duel between Jones and Johnson is in his plans. “I'm in a weird position. We saw that fight and it was great. I still have to talk to Joe Silva (UFC matchmaker) and see what he thinks. But I'm thinking about doing Anthony Johnson against Jon Jones and the winner faces the Daniel Cormier”, said the president.

White's idea goes against what Cormier himself said, who a few days ago used his Twitter account to state that, for now, his rivalry with Jon Jones will remain in the background. “I’m not fighting Jones next. I'll fight 'Rumble'. He's here and he deserved it. He [Jones] won't show up. Something will happen. We had a fight scheduled four times and only fought once. I need some time,” wrote the American.

In April, Jones won the interim belt in the category, which would give him the right to challenge the current champion. That was supposed to happen at UFC 200 last month, but Jon failed an estrogen blocker drug test three days earlier and was pulled from the fight. However, according to recent statements from the UFC president and the fighter himself, “Bones” was not caught with the substance he was thought to have consumed.

Jon Jones e Anthony Johnson they were going to face each other in May last year, at UFC 187, but the former champion was involved in a car accident in which he failed to provide assistance and was stripped of the title. Daniel Cormier took his place and defeated Johnson by submission, becoming the new champion of the category.