Jon Jones issues ultimatum to UFC, Conor McGregor reacts to DNA evidence in rape case, Joe Rogan reveals new Kamala Harris demand: MMA News Roundup
Jon Jones sent a message to the UFC bosses about his potential retirement. Elsewhere, Conor McGregor appeared in court to give his statement on the ongoing rape case filed by Nikita Hand.
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Jon Jones issues retirement ultimatum to the UFC
Jon Jones warned the UFC's top bosses that if he's not allowed to fight Alex Pereira after going through Stipe Miocic, he will hang up his gloves.
Speaking at the UFC 309 media day on Wednesday, 'Bones' made his plans crystal clear:
"As far as retirement, the idea for me is to go out there and beat Stipe [Miocic]... If I can do it in a really dominant, devastating fashion, then the desire in my heart would be like, 'Okay, now it's Alex Pereira.' And if the UFC doesn't want that to happen... then I'll just move on with my life."
Jones added:
"One of the ways to look at it is would you guys rather lose me or get me one more super fight, and the only super fight that makes sense to me - not to everyone else but to me and my team - is Alex Pereira."
Watch Jon Jones' comments below (17:55):
However, in another interview, Jones said that he was interested in fighting the likes of Jamahal Hill or Derrick Lewis after relinquishing the UFC heavyweight title. As for the interim champion, Jones claimed Tom Aspinall was being a disrespectful "a**hole" in his callouts and doubled down on not entertaining a fight with the Brit.
Conor McGregor admits to "consensual" s*x with rape accuser
In a High Court appearance on Wednesday, Conor McGregor admitted to the jury that he had "fully consensual" sexual relations with Nikita Hand, the woman who has accused him of rape in the ongoing lawsuit. The UFC star described it as an "athletic", "vigorous", "physical" and "prolonged" act that took place in the penthouse suite of Dublin's Beacon Hotel on Dec. 9, 2018.
McGregor also denied causing any physical harm to Hand during the incident. He was shocked to see photos of bruises on Hand and claimed he was not responsible for the injuries. When asked about Hand's statement on McGregor having her in an arm lock, the Irishman said:
"Your client is full of lies. Everything is a lie."
That comes after new details about DNA evidence collected at the time from Hand came to light recently.
According to a report by RTE, forensic evidence from Dr. Charlotte Murphy revealed that the DNA samples found on Hand's body, clothes and undergarments matched McGregor's profile. Dr. Murphy also said that both straps on the attire Hand was wearing were ripped from the front and it was not regular wear and tear.
Joe Rogan reveals strange demand from Kamala Harris' campaign
Joe Rogan had extended invitations to both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris before the elections. While Trump took him up on his offer, the Harris interview never materialized after the two parties went back and forth regarding conditions. Rogan eventually refused to give in to the alleged multitude of requests, and the collaboration fell through.
During The Joe Rogan Experience podcast episode (#2227), the UFC commentator revealed that Harris had demanded to avoid talking about marijuana legalization.
"They had, I don’t know how many conversations with my folks, but multiple conversations giving different dates, different times, different this, different that ... I think they had requirements on things that she didn't want to talk about, she didn't want to talk about marijuana legalization, which I thought was hilarious."
When Adrienne Iapalucci, renowned comedian and guest for the episode, asked him the reason, Rogan speculated:
"Because of her prosecuting record. She put a lot of people in jail for weed."
Harris was the Attorney General of California from 2011 to 2017. Before that, from 2004 to 2011, she served as San Francisco's District Attorney.
Watch the full episode with Adrienne Iapalucci below: