Dana White appreciates where Jon Jones is coming from but insists no apology is needed for backing out of a verbal agreement to face Tom Aspinall.
Jones recently expressed a desire to personally apologize to the UFC CEO and admitted he “was wrong” in how he handled negotiations for a highly anticipated showdown with the heavyweight champion Aspinall. According to Jones, he wants to “let bygones be bygones” and hopes to convince White and the UFC brass to allow him to fight at the UFC White House event, expected to take place in summer 2026.
“Bones” has been eager for a spot on the card and is pushing to face UFC light heavyweight champ Alex Pereira, who has also shown interest in the matchup.
White responded to Jones’ desire for a meeting, stating it’s not necessary. “Listen, he doesn’t need to apologize to me for anything,” White told TMZ. “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, so there’s nothing for Jon to apologize about. Dealing with Jon over the last however many years has been a unique experience, I can tell you that, but it doesn’t change the fact that he’s the best ever.”
Although White continues to speak highly of Jones, he did not commit to allowing him to return to the octagon at the White House event. White still considers Jones to be retired and said that if there is any big fight he envisions for Jones, it would be against the winner of the Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane rematch.
Aspinall and Ciryl Gane are expected to have a rematch in 2026 after their UFC 321 headliner ended in a no contest due to an eye poke. “Ciryl and Tom have to fight again, and whoever wins that fight, them and Jon Jones could be the biggest one ever,” White said. “Don’t forget Jon Jones is retired. We keep talking about him, but we’ll see how this whole thing plays out.”
https://sports.yahoo.com/article/dana-white-jon-jones-doesnt-161213934.html
