The UFC is in the midst of major shake-ups, with three of its biggest stars making headlines for vastly different reasons. Jon Jones has thrown down the gauntlet, daring the UFC to strip him of his heavyweight title. Meanwhile, Dana White has been removed from his role as lead promoter in a major boxing event, and lightweight champion Islam Makhachev continues to solidify his dominance inside the Octagon.

Jon Jones Challenges UFC: “Go Ahead and Strip Me”

Jon Jones, the reigning UFC Heavyweight Champion, has openly challenged the organization, essentially daring them to strip him of his title amid growing pressure for a unification bout against interim champion Tom Aspinall. Although Jones has recovered from injury and reportedly agreed to financial terms, the fight has yet to be made official.

In a series of social media posts and interviews, Jones claimed that he had informed UFC of his timeline and was unclear why the bout hadn’t been announced yet. His frustration boiled over as fans accused him of “ducking” Aspinall.

“I’ve given them the timeline, I’ve done my part. If they want to strip me, go ahead,” Jones said.

While UFC President Dana White has previously denied any plans to strip Jones, the delay in booking a heavyweight title unification bout has only intensified fan speculation. (MMA Fighting)

Dana White Removed as Boxing Promoter

In another surprising move, Dana White has been dropped as the lead promoter for the upcoming Canelo Álvarez vs. Terence Crawford fight. Initially announced as the flagship event for TKO Boxing—a joint venture involving UFC, WWE (via TKO Group Holdings), and Saudi Arabian leadership—White’s removal came after a scheduling conflict with UFC 320.

The fight has now been moved to September 13, the same night as UFC 320, creating a direct clash between two TKO properties. As a result, Saudi-backed promotion company Sela has taken over full control of the event under the Riyadh Season banner.

“It was meant to be the start of TKO’s boxing empire, but Dana White has been sidelined before it even began,” noted one industry insider. (TalkSport)

This shift raises questions about the future of TKO Boxing and the UFC’s potential involvement in the sport moving forward.

Islam Makhachev Continues to Dominate Lightweight Division

While chaos surrounds Jones and White, lightweight king Islam Makhachev is doing what he does best: winning. The Dagestani fighter recently defended his title in dominant fashion against Charles Oliveira, extending his reign and cementing his place atop the division.

Makhachev has now entered the pound-for-pound conversation and is being hailed as the heir to Khabib Nurmagomedov’s legacy. There is increasing speculation about a potential super fight for Makhachev, either against a returning Conor McGregor or a move up in weight.

Conclusion: Shifting Power and Rising Tensions in the UFC

As Jon Jones dares the UFC to take his title, Dana White loses control of his most ambitious boxing venture, and Islam Makhachev ascends the ranks, the landscape of combat sports continues to evolve rapidly. These events reflect deeper questions about the direction of the UFC, its stars, and its role in the broader combat sports world.

Whether it’s the octagon, the boxing ring, or the boardroom—drama is guaranteed, and the fight is never just inside the cage.