Tyson Fury receives challenge from UFC president Dana White amid 'baddest man on the planet' debate

UFC president Dana White has issued a public challenge to Tyson Fury following The Gypsy King’s spat with UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones. Tyson, 34, from Wythenshawe, previously blasted Joe Rogan for predicting that Jones would beat him in a no holds barred bout.

Following this, Dana challenged Fury to fight Jones to see who would come out on top. Dana said post-fight at UFC Vegas 74: “I like Tyson Fury. I have a great relationship with Tyson Fury. But there’s this debate right now about the baddest man on the planet, right?

“Jon Jones is the baddest man on the planet. There’s no doubt about it. If you want to discuss another possible baddest man on the planet, it would be Tyson Fury in a boxing [ring], and we all know that if Jon Jones boxes Tyson Fury, Tyson Fury wins.

"All these boxing guys want to talk about this, and they want to keep it in the ring. I’m telling Tyson Fury, whom I respect very much, if you really want to find out who the baddest man on the planet is, I will make that fight. I will make Jon Jones vs Tyson Fury in the Octagon.”

However, Tyson Fury has expressed little interest in the UFC, instead wanting to focus on his MMA debut. Despite this, the UFC president believes he can pay Fury what he wants for his MMA debut.  

He added: "We figured out how to pay Floyd [Mayweather] and figured out how to pay you to Tyson. So, the offer is out there if you want to do it in the UFC. I know he was messing around with MMA for a little while there. Let’s do it.

“Let’s answer the question. But these guys aren’t boxing him. You want the title of baddest man on the planet? Let’s do it. I’m in. We could all talk about this forever. There’s only one way to find out. Let’s do it. I’m willing to do it. Tyson can call me himself. He has my number.”

Tyson Fury has yet to respond to the offer, instead issuing a challenge to Anthony Joshua. In an Instagram post, Fury wrote: “A few days ago I sent a draft contract to @anthonyjoshua for a fight in September @wembleystadium. It's a fight that everyone wants to see, including myself. Come of AJ let's give the world what they want to see. This time I'm not gonna make a million vids & keep putting pressure on. the ball is now on your side.”