Dana White Mulls Johnson vs. Jones Eliminator
Don’t ticket Anthony Johnson for a shot at the UFC title just yet. UFC President Dana White is considering putting “Rumble” Johnson against Jon Jones in an eliminator fight to determine the next challenger for Cormier.
White discussed the possibility of a Johnson-Jones eliminator in an appearance this week on the UFC Unfiltered podcast.
“I’m in a weird place,” White said. “We saw that fight, and it was a great fight. I’ve still got to talk to Joe Silva and see what he thinks. But I’m thinking maybe we do Anthony Johnson vs. Jon Jones to see who gets to fight Daniel Cormier.”
Jones, who is currently suspended after getting flagged by the USADA on an out-of-competition sample that reportedly tested positive for two estrogen agents, posted on social media earlier this month that he expected good news regarding his suspension. White then went on record that he did not think Jones took steroids.
A Johnson-Jones eliminator would contradict what Cormier wants. Before UFC 202, Cormier tweeted that he would not face Jones next, instead saying that the winner of the matchup between Johnson and Glover Teixeira deserved the next title shot. Johnson then defeated Teixeira by knockout in just 13 seconds.
Jones (22-1) and Johnson (22-5) originally were scheduled to fight last year at UFC 187, but Jones had to drop from that fight and vacate the title after the UFC suspended him following his connection to a hit-and-run incident. Cormier stepped up to face Johnson at that event, winning to become the new title holder.
