TYSON FURY claims he received a sensational “offer” from the UFC to enter the cage for a crossover clash with heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
The Wythenshawe warrior is gearing up to make his ring return against the MMA promotion’s former 265lb king Francis Ngannou in a much-maligned Saudi showdown on October 28.
GETTYTyson Fury was recently in a war of words with UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones[/caption]
GETTYThe row erupted after UFC commentator Joe Rogan ruled out Fury’s chances in a no-holds-barred clash with Jones[/caption]
GETTYUFC president Dana White publicly entertained having Fury fight in the octagon[/caption]
ReutersGypsy King Fury claims the UFC’s parent company offered him the chance to face Jones[/caption]
Fury, 35, was embroiled in a public spat with Jones – MMA‘s controversial but beloved former pound-for-pound king – before the finalisation of his ten-round exhibition with Ngannou.
UFC kingpin Dana White publicly entertained the clash, which the WBC heavyweight champ claims was put on the table by the promotion’s parent company WME-IMG.
The undefeated Brit told SunSport in an exclusive interview: “That’s 100 per cent true [that I received an offer to fight Jones].
“I’ve had an offer from the UFC, from [WME] IMG, to fight Jon Jones.”
Fury has received pelters for welcoming boxing novice Ngannou to the professional ranks for his first outing since his one-sided beatdown of a battle-weathered Derek Chisora last December.
But that won’t stop him from entering the dangerous world of mixed martial arts should the UFC’s offer still be on the table after his desert dust-up with Ngannou.
The former unified heavyweight champion said: “Frank Warren knows about it, my team knows about it.
“It’s still ongoing and we’re looking to move forward on that for sure.”
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YOUTUBE@IFLTVTyson Fury has tried his hand at mixed martial arts training with fellow Brit Darren Till[/caption]
Fury and Jones even went back and forth with one another via text to try and make the shock showdown come to fruition.
“Me and Jon have even spoke about it,” Fury said.” It’s definitely a real thing.”
A potential clash between Fury and Jones became the talk of the combat sports world in May after UFC commentator Joe Rogan ruled out Fury’s chances in a no-holds-barred straightener with Jones.
Fury reacted angrily to that notion, saying in one of his many Instagram story rants: “Here’s a thought.
“How about this? How about I fight Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou on the same night?
“How about that? That’s how much I value them two bums. Get up! Let’s go, boys.”
UFC Hall of Famer Jones is set to call time on his legendary career after what will be his first defence of the heavyweight title.
The former long-reigning light-heavyweight champion will defend the 265lb throne against former champion Stipe Miocic on the promotion’s 30th anniversary card – UFC 295 – at Madison Square Garden on November 11.
UFCJon Jones defend his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic at UFC 295 on November 11[/caption]