Latest news with #FullSendPodcast
USA Today
9 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Jon Jones: Dana White gets things done, Francis Ngannou 'could very easily be back in UFC'
Jon Jones: Dana White gets things done, Francis Ngannou 'could very easily be back in UFC' Jon Jones isn't ruling out the possibility of a Francis Ngannou return to the UFC. Ngannou's departure from the UFC was far from amicable. He signed with PFL after failing to come to terms on a new deal with the UFC, departing as the reigning heavyweight champion. UFC CEO Dana White was recently asked about the possibility of Ngannou coming back, where he simply responded, "Probably not." With current UFC heavyweight champion Jones (28-1 MMA, 22-1 UFC) continuously stating a title-unification bout with interim champ Tom Aspinall doesn't interest him, a potential fight with Ngannou, however, does. But is there a world where White re-signs "The Predator?" "I think Dana gets things done," Jones said on the "Full Send Podcast." "I think business speaks before emotions. If Francis presents himself in a humble way, I think that he could very easily be back in the UFC." Despite White and Ngannou's public rift in the past, Jones insists White wouldn't pass up on the opportunity if it was presented correctly. "Absolutely," Jones said on the possibility of Ngannou returning to the UFC. "Dana White is one of the best sports minds in recent history for a reason, and money talks. Francis brings eyes, and I'm sure Dana will be interested. He can be stubborn. I think I'm an example. People, they grow and mature, and time changes things, and time heals all. There was moments in my career where I felt like Dana absolutely hated me. Now I feel he's a big advocator for me."
The Independent
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Jon Jones walks out of interview over Tom Aspinall question: ‘You said something real wild'
Jon Jones ended an interview on Thursday when he was asked what it would 'take' for him to fight Tom Aspinall, a question he deemed 'wild'. Jones has held the UFC heavyweight title since March 2023, while Aspinall picked up the interim belt in November of that year after 'Bones' suffered an injury. Despite each man having retained his version of the title since then, Jones continues to avoid committing to a fight with the Briton. In fact, Aspinall this month insisted that the American has retired, and that he himself has a date and location for his next fight. But speaking on the Full Send podcast on Thursday (19 June), 37-year-old Jones said: 'I don't want to say that I'm retired, because fighting's in my blood. 'Right now, I could [not] really care less about fighting. I've been doing it my whole life at a very high level, and when the itch comes back – and if it comes back – then I'll do it with my whole heart, do it to the best of my abilities. 'I think I will fight again in the future, I think I will fight again. Where the future of combat sports is going, it's going to be amazing when I pop back up, but right now, I'm just focused on so many other things – like family, like building my house, like building this brand. 'Right now, I look around and realise what's true, what's real. I see the way people look at me and the way I make people feel, and it's an extraordinary thing. It's a true blessing. Now my job is to serve that, give that to my fans, be reachable, touchable. Let them know what I have inside. That's who I am right now. I've punched and kicked enough people. 'I think [Tom] is awesome. I think he should go on and have a wonderful career. No, I don't think he needs me. I think when you want something bad enough, if you get it, it can be the worst thing that ever happened to you. 'I love being the ultimate troll. I'm in a spot right now where I'm really enjoying the fruits of my labour, all the hard work that I put in. He's not in a position to excite me, it's just the truth. Because if I whoop his ass, it's going to be the next guy. There's going to be a whole new fanbase of somebody who everybody believes in. 'I've done this my whole adult life. I remember 'Rampage' [Quinton Jackson] fans years ago, Rashad [Evans] fans and Lyoto [Machida] fans; I've literally replayed this story so many times in my life.' With Jones refusing to commit to a unification bout with Aspinall, 32, fans are bewildered at why the UFC has not stripped Jones of his belt. 'I'm a company guy, and there's a lot of things that's happening behind the scenes, where my job is just to sit and be still and take the punishment. My job for the UFC is to do what's right for the company. I could easily just say I'm not fighting. My job is to chill, and that's what I'm doing.' At the end of the interview, host Kyle Forgeard asked the former two-time light-heavyweight champion: 'What would it take to fight Tom Aspinall? From the UFC, like what does the UFC gotta do?' Jones, laughing, replied: 'You said something real wild and off the cuff. I'll see you guys later.' He proceeded to stand and leave. While some fans consider Jones the greatest fighter in MMA history, his career has been marred by numerous failed drug tests and run-ins with the law. The former 205lb king won the vacant heavyweight title in March 2023, but an injury thwarted his November defence against Stipe Miocic, and Jones was ruled out for a year. In the meantime, Aspinall won the interim belt and made the rare move of defending it, which he did successfully in July 2024. Jones returned in November and stopped Miocic to retain the regular belt, setting up a unification fight with Aspinall – one to which Jones has never committed, leading fans to urge the UFC to take his title away. This month, Aspinall told The Independent: 'I want to keep my job, so I don't want to say too much, but I said what I've said in other interviews and stuff... People think I'm joking, but it's the truth [that Jones has retired]. 'I'm not the kind of guy to pull any media stunts or anything like that, like... What I'm saying is the truth.'
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jon Jones Responds to Dana White's Deadline with Blunt Update
Jon Jones Responds to Dana White's Deadline with Blunt Update originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The UFC heavyweight title scene remains in limbo, and the suspense is starting to wear thin. Jon Jones, arguably the most dominant force in MMA history, still hasn't given the green light on a showdown with interim champ Tom Aspinall. While Dana White has been working behind the curtain to make it happen, the champ's latest comments suggest the UFC might be left hanging. And if White's tone is any indication, patience is running out. Advertisement During a recent appearance on The Jim Rome Show, Dana White didn't sugarcoat the situation. The UFC president confirmed the clock is very much ticking. Feb 15, 2020; Rio Rancho, New Mexico, USA; UFC fighter Jon Jones attends the light heavyweight bout between Jan Blachowicz (blue) and Corey Anderson (red) during UFC Fight Night at Santa Ana Star Arena.© Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports 'We'll see how this thing plays out over the next couple of weeks. If we can't get this fight done, we'll move on quickly … We'll have answers in the next couple weeks.' When Rome pressed for a firm timeline, White held the line: 'A couple of weeks.' That's not exactly vague. The UFC is ready to move with or without Jones. But 'Bones' doesn't sound like a man feeling the heat. Speaking with Full Send Podcast, Jones delivered a response that felt more like a retirement tease than fight hype. 'I don't want to say that I'm retired because fighting is in my blood... but right now, I could really care less about fighting.' 'If the itch comes back—and if it comes back—then I'll do it with my whole heart.' On the subject of Tom Aspinall, Jones didn't mince words: 'He's just not in a position to excite me... If I whoop his ass, it's going to be the next guy. I've replayed this story so many times.' Translation? He's not in a rush. And with a decision looming in less than two weeks, White may be forced to pivot if Jones stays noncommittal. Whether that means elevating Aspinall or creating another interim detour, the UFC's heavyweight division can't afford to stay frozen. Advertisement This next move will be massive—not just for Dana White, but for the future of a division that's been stuck in neutral far too long. Related: UFC Abu Dhabi: Robert Whittaker Set to Face Fastest-Rising Middleweight Star in Legacy Fight Related: UFC Star Wants Dricus Du Plessis in Historic Africa vs. Africa Showdown This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Time of India
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
'It's time to strip him' - UFC veteran Daniel Cormier demands immediate action after Jon Jones' comments on Tom Aspinall and heavyweight title unification bout
Daniel Cormier (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) and Jon Jones (Photo by Jeff Botari/Zuffa LLC) Former rival and UFC veteran Daniel Cormier reacts to Jon Jones ' latest podcast statement, as the latter reveals his intentions and attitude towards having a fight at the moment. In a recent episode of the Full Send Podcast, Jones talks about his role as part of the UFC while reflecting on the current interim champion Tom Aspinall 's wish to face Bones in the heavyweight title unification bout . Jon Jones reveals his lack of interest in having a fight shortly, wishes for Tom Aspinall to have a great career ahead Tom Aspinall has become the longest-reigning interim champion in the UFC, with heavyweight champion Jon Jones showing no interest in a title unification bout. The last few months, during which fans called out the champion and even signed a petition to strip Jones of his belt, have also gone in vain, with no tangible outcome. Time and again, Jones, through his social media accounts, has showcased his disinterest in having a bout at the moment. In a recent episode of the Full Send Podcast, Jon Jones, upon being asked if he has retired from the world of combat sports, stated, 'I don't wanna say that I am retired. Because fighting is in my blood. Right now I could really care less about fighting. I have been doing it my whole life at a very high level. And when the itch comes back and if it comes back, I will do it with my whole heart.' Jon Jones Responds to Tom Aspinall and Speaks on His Relationship with Dana White! Jones further praised the interim champion while showing his reluctance to face him in a bout at the moment, saying, 'I think he is awesome, man. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah? IC Markets Mendaftar Undo I think he should go on and have a wonderful career.' The fighter further added, 'I don't think he needs me. I think when you want something bad enough and you get it, it could be the worst thing that could ever happen to you.' These statements from the veteran fighter have not only garnered the attention of the fans but also veteran members of the MMA community, including his longtime rival and former heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier. In his segment of Instant Reaction, Cormier sent out a message to the UFC for an immediate stripping of the championship belt. 'Right now, it's time to strip him. He doesn't want to fight this guy [Aspinall].' Cormier stated, 'If he does not sound like he is going to fight, it's time to take the belt. It's time to move on. And hope that the itch he speaks about comes back and if it does, stick him in there with Tom Aspinall. Give him no other choice.' Also read: Former UFC champion Charles Oliveira makes it to big screens with his biopic in works at 405 films It is almost clear that Jones is least interested in facing the interim champion or having a fight at all at the moment. While veterans like Cormier, on several occasions, have supported stripping the fighter of his championship belt, the UFC executives are yet to take a stand on this callout. Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Daniel Cormier sees right through Jon Jones' lack of interest in Tom Aspinall fight
Daniel Cormier sees right through Jon Jones' lack of interest in Tom Aspinall fight When it comes to not wanting to unify the UFC heavyweight title against Tom Aspinall, Daniel Cormier sees right through Jon Jones. During an appearance on the "Full Send Podcast" that released Thursday, Jones made it clear that he currently isn't interested in fighting, which has Cormier wondering one thing. "What took so long? What took so long for you to tell us, 'Hey, if (the desire to fight) comes back, I'll come back.' But right now it's not there. What took so long?" Cormier said on his YouTube channel. "You will get grace in that regard. By not saying something, by waiting to say something, you gave people the idea that you just don't want to fight this guy. Seriously, that you just don't want to fight this guy, who represents another era of fighter. ... "By taking so long, he's now given you the idea, 'Well, he's afraid.'" Specific to Aspinall, who's held the UFC interim heavyweight title since November 2023 and defended the belt last July, Jones insists he's "not in a position to excite (him)" and that beating him would simply represent a win over "the next guy," which Jones did through generations of contenders while he was light heavyweight champion. Cormier takes umbrage with this mentality from Jones. "That might've worked before. That's not working this time. That's where Jones loses me," said Cormier, who called for the UFC to strip Jones of the heavyweight title. "I get it that he's seen the great hope of someone that's going to beat him in the past. There's never been someone like this. … Let me tell you why it's never been someone like Aspinall: because of the way the rules have changed. If this was Jon Jones at 28 years old, no worry for him, and Aspinall would not be the biggest threat to him. The reason Aspinall is the biggest threat to him today is because (Jones is) 38 years old. Because he's lived a life of excess, partying, living, doing all those things that back in the day got him into trouble. ... "Aspinall's the biggest threat today because the roles have reversed. At 28 years old, Jon would've seen Tom a million times over and fought him already. But Jon, at 38, recognizes that this dude is a little better. He's not afraid. He just doesn't want to get knocked out. Jon Jones prefers to let his legacy stay as is with the caveat that he didn't fight Tom Aspinall, didn't run the risk of fighting Tom Aspinall and getting beat by Tom Aspinall. That's where the difference lies. That's where the worry comes from. That's why we're seeing a man say 'this guy doesn't really excite me' when in reality, it's exciting. But it's also very scary." Dana White said this week that a decision on a potential Jones vs. Aspinall fight will be made "in the next couple of weeks," but it seems Jones already has made the decision for the UFC.
