Only weeks after asserting that the UFC does not do “gimmick fights,” UFC president Dana White is offering heavyweight boxer Tyson Fury the chance to prove himself as “baddest man on the planet” in the Octagon. White discussed his willingness to make a “baddest man on the planet” fight between Tyson Fury and Jon Jones happen at the UFC Vegas 74 post-fight press conference.
“There’s this debate going on about who is the baddest man on the planet. Jon Jones is the baddest man on the planet, there’s no doubt about it.
Dana White Offers Tyson Fury UFC Heavyweight Fight
So when we talk about baddest man on the planet, if two guys fought in a fight, who would win? If you want to discuss another baddest man on the planet, it would be Tyson Fury in a boxing arena, and we all know if Jon Jones boxed Tyson Fury, Tyson Fury wins.
All of these boxing guys want to keep talking about this and keep it in the ring. I’m telling Tyson Fury, who I respect very much, if you really want to find out who the baddest man on the planet is, I will make that fight. I will make Jon Jones vs. Tyson Fury in the octagon, and we’ll figure out [payment].
We figured out how to pay Floyd . We’ll figure out how to pay you, too, Tyson.” White also insisted that he is on good terms with Tyson Fury – perhaps because of their shared disdain for novelty boxer Jake Paul – and the offer for Fury to try MMA is available any time.
“The offer is out there, if you want to do it in the UFC — and I know he was messing around a little with MMA for a little while there — let’s do it.
Let’s answer the question. But these guys [in the UFC] aren’t boxing. Listen, if you want the fight, if you want the title of baddest man on the planet, let’s do it. I’m in.
We could all talk about this forever, but there’s only one way to find out. I’m willing to do it. Tyson can call me himself. He has my number, we have a good relationship, or Tyson’s people can call me and we’ll get it done.”
Jon Jones has yet to lock in an opponent for his first heavyweight title defense. Most analysts expect former champion Stipe Miocic to challenge Jones, as “Bones” has expressed an interest in Miocic in the past. Perhaps Tyson Fury can beat the former heavyweight champ to the punch.
