WEDNESDAY NEWS DIGEST 1/2: Dana White says Conor-Khabib 2 could happen in 2019, Jones wants to fight three times this year, and more

Dana Says

UFC president Dana White ran into TMZ Sports this week and he more or less affirmed that UFC plans to book a Khabib Nurmagomedov-Conor McGregor rematch as soon as they are able to.

“I think a lot of people want to see that fight,” White said.

White also hinted that he is expecting suspensions of some sort for one or both of the fighters and that there may be other lightweight title matches before Khabib and Conor can hook up again.

“Obviously, guys are going to have to win and it depends how long the suspensions are, but yeah, as long as everything goes right this fight should happen.”

Jones says

Jon Jones also has big plans for 2019. In a recent Instagram post, Jones shared that he wants to stay active and fight three times this year.

“I’m mapping out the year ahead and I’m absolutely going to kick the s— out of 2019. I want to fight 3 times this year and leave zero doubt of my dominance as a champion. I’m going to do this because that’s what my passion dictates, but it’s also what you fans deserve.”

Due to suspensions and drug test failures, Jones hasn’t fought more than once in a calendar year since 2013. Jones put the division on notice that he’s ready to take on all comers in 2019.

“So to those fighters in my division go ahead and line up because you’re all getting it. The King has returned and no one is sleeping easy but me now that I’m back. Same crown same reign new faces more pain. That’s what I’m bringing in 19.”

View this post on Instagram

When the tides shift in your life you not only take notice, but follow where the momentum is taking you. My family and I came to Santa Monica after the fights to unwind, unplug and put the focus on those beautiful things that matter most in my life. I also ate a lot of chocolate cake but don’t knock my hustle because I earned that shit! But on the real, over last few days something profound registered in me. In my heart and mind there has been a shift and it’s a hunger that’s raging. In the past I would fight then shut everything down while I filled my schedule with partying and nonsense, but in the aftermath of reclaiming my belt the only thing I want to do is get back in there. I want to step back into the cage and continue to prove why I’m the best light heavyweight in the world. I’m flying home tonight and heading right back to the gym to continue building my skillset. I’m going to get with my team and keep the cerebral game rolling as well. I’m mapping out the year ahead and I’m absolutely going to kick the shit out of 2019. I want to fight 3 times this year and leave zero doubt of my dominance as a champion. I’m going to do this because that’s what my passion dictates, but it’s also what you fans deserve. You’ve been down with me through thick and thin, and 2019 is going to be incredible. It’s all due to the fact I know what matters and why. So to those fighters in my division go ahead and line up because you’re all getting it. The King has returned and no one is sleeping easy but me now that I’m back. Same crown same reign new faces more pain. That’s what I’m bringing in 19.

A post shared by Jon Bones Jones (@jonnybones) on Jan 1, 2019 at 8:02pm PST

Wednesday Notebook

-Michael Bisping said on his podcast that he believes he upset Jon Jones during an interview on the UFC 232 post-fight show.

“I don’t care about asking difficult questions and I asked Jon Jones some questions, which apparently he didn’t like because after the fight…we interviewed him again and when we were on commercial break he was talking f*cking shit,’” said Bisping (transcribed by MMAFighting).

“To whoever the powers may be were at FOX, he [said], ‘Is that motherf*cker, Michael Bisping, going to be asking questions again, with his f*cking dumb sh*t,’ and all this and I was like, ‘Ohhh yeah.’”