Dana White Defends Jon Jones Amidst Apology Debates
Dana White, the president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), has been vocal about his unwavering support for Jon Jones, despite the former light heavyweight champion's recent missteps. In a recent interview with TMZ Sports, White expressed his belief that Jones doesn't owe him an apology, even after Jones' admission of handling the Tom Aspinall situation poorly.
"Listen, he doesn't need to apologize to me for anything," White stated. "Even through all the bad stuff that Jon and I have gone through, I still say that Jon Jones is the greatest of all time, because it's a fact. Everybody starts laughing when I say it; Jon Jones is the greatest of all time, period, end of story. I know it, and everybody else knows it."
White's unwavering support for Jones is not without reason. The MMA world was abuzz with the potential Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall heavyweight title fight, but Jones' retirement from the sport in lieu of facing Aspinall earlier this year dashed those hopes. However, Jones' recent lobbying to be included in the UFC's White House card in the summer of 2026 has been met with resistance from White, who expressed his inability to trust Jones to headline such a significant event.
Despite the tension, White acknowledges the unique experience of dealing with Jones over the years. He emphasizes that Jones' status as the greatest of all time remains unchallenged, regardless of their personal differences. White's stance on Jones' potential return to the octagon is also clear. He believes that Jones should first face light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira at the UFC White House, but his ultimate goal is to see Jones compete for the heavyweight title.
"First of all, Ciryl Gane and Tom Aspinall have to fight again, and whoever wins that fight, them and Jon Jones would be the biggest one ever," White stated, highlighting his vision for Jones' future in the sport.
