White: Gustafsson’s next in line
Dana White: ” Well, you don’t turn down opponents, you know what I mean? You’ve got to fight all the best in the world, anyway. You’re the man; everybody’s gunning for you.”
This week Jon Jones has been making news by refusing to sign his bout agreement to fight Alexander Gustafsson and instead requesting a fight with Daniel Cormier. Jones has five fights left on his promotional contract with the UFC, but is stalling on signing a bout agreement. UFC President Dana White is however holding strong on his stance:
Rick Wright: A story broke online Monday to the effect that Jones is telling you he wants to fight Daniel Cormier next and not Alexander Gustafsson (who last September gave Jones the toughest fight of his career in losing by unanimous decision). You’re meeting with Jones on Thursday. Do you intend to press for Gustafsson?
Dana White: Yeah, definitely. Gustafsson’s next in line. Even Cormier said, ‘Listen, I hope this whole things works out for me and I get the shot, but even I believe that Gustafsson deserves the next shot.’ (Gustafsson is) the No. 1 contender, he’s waited for this rematch and (Cormier) even agrees.
Rick Wright: If Jones continues to insist on fighting Cormier next, what happens?
Dana White: It’s just one of those things that sucks, to be honest with you. As soon as that kid (Jones) starts to build some steam and starts to become the star that you think he can be, he comes out and doesn’t want to fight somebody. You’re the champion, you’re the pound-for-pound best guy in the world, and he says he wants to be known as the best ever. Well, you don’t turn down opponents, you know what I mean? You’ve got to fight all the best in the world, anyway. You’re the man; everybody’s gunning for you.