Dana White Deems Jon Jones ‘Unfit for Business’ After UFC Legend’s Retirement Dilemma

Chances of Jon Jones fighting in the UFC again looks slim after promotion's CEO Dana White makes his feelings clear.

Dana White Deems Jon Jones ‘Unfit for Business’ After UFC Legend’s Retirement Dilemma

Dana White talks Jon Jones' retirement (via MMA Fighting, UFC)

In Short
  • Jon Jones was deemed 'unfit for business' by Dana White following his retirement dilemma and missed opportunity to compete at the White House event.
  • Dana White confirmed that Jon Jones has retired and is unlikely to return to the octagon after refusing to unify the heavyweight title.
  • Jones expressed uncertainty about his retirement status, stating he is taking it day by day and has no interest in bare-knuckle fighting.

Jon Jones didn’t get the chance to compete at the White House event, scheduled for June 14. Unsurprisingly, Jones didn’t take the news well and revealed that he was in negotiations for the historic event. However, Dana White maintained that the UFC matchmakers may have spoken to Jones about his availability, but at no point was the legend in consideration to actually compete.

Different stories came out of the respective camps and Dana White revealed that Jones was retired. The UFC legend, in retaliation, asked the promotion to release him from his contract after the initial announcement of the White House card. So far, that has not happened.

At UFC 327, the promotion announced the signing of heavyweight prospect Gable Steveson, who is under the guidance of Jon Jones. The fighting career of Jones actually ended when he refused to unify the heavyweight title against Tom Aspinall last year. However, he made a U-turn upon wanting to compete on the White House card, which did not materialize.

Around a day or two ago, Jones revealed that he wouldn’t entertain a bare-knuckle fight, and that his gloves were hung up. However, during a backstage interview at UFC 327, ‘Bones’ said he was taking it day by day. He also revealed his dilemma about retirement during the interview.

After the event concluded, Dana White was asked about working with Jones again. The UFC boss answered about the possibility of seeing Jones competing again inside the octagon.

Listen, how’s that any different than Jon’s been in the last ten years. You know what I mean. The way I looked at, I used to tell Lorenzo, ‘You’ll never be able to build a business with this guy.’ But, when he does show up it’s fun.

Dana White via UFC 327 post-fight presser

It appears Dana White may not have forgotten what all happened last year during the tumultuous negotiation with Jones regarding a superfight with Tom Aspinall. Jones asked around $30 million, which the promotion agreed. However, the former champion quickly backtracked and announced his intention to retire.

During that time, Dana White was going on media tours to overwhelmingly praise Jon Jones. It all backfired once ‘Bones’ refused to do the unification bout against then-interim champion Aspinall. Since then, the UFC boss has gone out of his way to declare that Jones has retired and would not compete again. As such, a return for Jones at the moment is highly unlikely.

Dana White addresses Colby Covington not fighting on the White House card

Colby Covington is another fighter, who has a good and bad history with Dana White. Initially, White and the UFC brass almost cut Covington because of his wrestling-based style and the lack of a personality. Covington soon changed by becoming outspoken and even had several back-and-forth with Dana White back in the late 2010s.

Their relationship turned for the better after UFC 245 when Covington fought valiantly despite having a broken jaw that he suffered during the third round of the title fight against Kamaru Usman.

Colby Covington disregards Dana White's comments
Colby Covington and Dana White (via MMA Mania)

Fast-forward six years, Covington missed out on the opportunity to compete on the White House card. He spent years promoting Donald Trump and MAGA agenda. Just like Jones, a reporter asked the UFC boss about why Covington didn’t fight on the historic card, scheduled for June 14. White gave a detailed answer.

Listen, every time you hear something publicly from these guys, ‘Oh this didn’t happen. That didn’t happen.’ Always remember this, this is common sense, we have to get these guys 3 fights a year. If we don’t we have to pay them even if they don’t fight. We’re always offering guys fights. If he didn’t make it on the White House card there’s absolutely, positively a reason.

Dana White via UFC 327 post-fight presser

It remains to be seen if Covington will ever return to compete in the UFC again. After all, he is enjoying much success with Real American Freestyle (RAF). He is scheduled for his next RAF appearance against former UFC champion Chris Weidman for the May 30th event.

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