Dana White is just not holding a grudge towards Jon Jones.
For many of the previous two years, the MMA world was captivated by the potential Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall heavyweight title struggle, however earlier this yr, Jones ended all that when he retired from the game in lieu of dealing with Aspinall.
Nonetheless, shortly afterward, the UFC introduced plans to carry a card on the White Home in the summertime of 2026, and Jones instantly lobbied to be on it. So far, his pleas have fallen on deaf ears, with Dana White saying he can’t belief Jones to headline such an enormous occasion. In response, Jones got here out and admitted to dealing with the Aspinall scenario poorly, saying he desires to apologize to White personally. Properly, White says that’s not mandatory.
“Pay attention, he doesn’t must apologize to me for something,” White informed TMZ Sports activities. “Even via all of the unhealthy stuff that Jon and I’ve gone via, I nonetheless say that Jon Jones is the best of all time, as a result of it’s a reality. All people begins laughing once I say it; Jon Jones is the best of all time, interval, finish of story. I do know it, and everyone else is aware of it.
“So there’s nothing for Jon to apologize about. Coping with Jon during the last nevertheless a few years has been a singular expertise, I can let you know that. But it surely doesn’t change the truth that he’s the most effective ever.”
Whether or not White will change his thoughts about Jones competing at UFC White Home stays to be seen, although the UFC CEO did point out that “Jones is retired,” which maybe doesn’t bode properly for the previous gentle heavyweight champion. And even when he does change his thoughts, it nonetheless might not be what Jones desires. Jones has been lobbying to face gentle heavyweight champion Alex Pereira at UFC White Home, but when Jones comes again, White nonetheless has his sights set on the heavyweight title.
“Initially, Ciryl [Gane] and Tom [Aspinall] need to struggle once more, and whoever wins that struggle, them and Jon Jones could be the largest one ever,” White stated.
