UFC president Dana White hasn’t talked to interim light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, some two days after the fighter was pulled from the main event of what was widely believed would be the biggest PPV in league history.
And diWhite has no plans to speak with him, either.
Two days after Jones was plucked from UFC 200 for failing a USADA-administered drug test back in June, forcing the UFC to scramble to fill the void, White hasn’t had any inclination to call Jones and get his side of the story. In fact, he says that he wouldn’t even be open to taking Jones’ call right now.
During an appearance on The Herd on Fox Sports 1, White was troubleshooting the difference between dealing with fighters like Conor McGregor and Jon Jones. After explaining why he liked dealing with McGregor, who has demands but is always willing to fight, White expressed frustration with his embattled star Jones.
“And then you have the Jon Jones’s, where how many chances can you give this guy?” said White, as transcribed by Chuck Mindenhall for MMA Fighting. “How many breaks can you cut this kid? You know what I mean?”
“I don’t know where Lorenzo [Fertitta] is on this issue, but I still haven’t talked to Jon Jones. There’s nothing for me and Jon Jones to talk about. I haven’t and I’m not going to. There is nothing for us to talk about.”
White said he wouldn’t take a call from the now several times disgraced fighter.
“No, I’m not talking to Jon Jones,” said White. “I’m not talking, and there’s no reason for us to talk. The guy is a professional. I truly believe…listen, I’m not the biggest Jon Jones fan right now, but I truly believe that he did take a supplement, that had the stuff in it, and it wasn’t intentional. I truly believe that. But at the same time, come on. You’re 28 years old, you’re probably the greatest talent to ever step foot in this sport, right? Call USADA and tell them what supplements you’re taking. You’ve already been through this history of just absolute madness. Why would you do this — forget doing this to us, why would you do this to yourself?
“You’re a grown-up, and the guys that are around him are just as bad. The guys that are supposed to be looking out for him, and watching his back, gimme a break. Gimme a break. Jon should have cleaned house a long time ago. That’s what Jon should have done.”
“It’s a sad story for Jon Jones. Because he’s one of the greatest to ever step foot in the Octagon.”
H/T shogunhoohah
