The 25-year-old Jones, one of UFC’s brightest stars, said he had no regrets in turning down the fight. He has agreed to defend his title against Vitor Belfort at UFC 152 on Sept. 22 in Toronto.
“I had to do what’s right for myself by turning down that fight, Dana had to do what was right for himself by putting the blame on everyone else except for himself,” Jones said by phone Wednesday. “The lesson to be learned is, at the end of the day, you have to protect yourself and your family.”
Much to the promotion’s anger, Jones said no thanks. White said Jones was the first UFC champion ever to turn down a match. White went off on an uncensored rant on Jones and his trainer, Greg Jackson. Jones said it was wrong for the UFC to think he would accept a new opponent, “just like that.”
Jones has yet to speak to White about his scathing remarks.
“I think in the future, this can make me and Dana even better off,” Jones said. “For him to get out how he felt about me in that situation, it will help me look at things more business-oriented. A lot of good can come out of it. Fighters can learn the lesson of doing what’s best for themselves and not feeling like puppets. I think the UFC has learned a lesson of making sure they stay loyal to the fans and give them full cards.”
“People tell me, ‘You’re the champ, you’ve got to take the fight,’” he said. “Being the champ wasn’t given to me.
“I don’t owe anybody anything.”
