“Coaches told him not to do it!” Dana White fires shots at Jon Jones’ coaches after Islam Makhachev takes dig at canceled UFC 151 card

Unraveling UFC 151 Controversy, Dana White exonerates Jon Jones, redirects blame, and highlights evolving fighter-coach dynamics.

“Coaches told him not to do it!” Dana White fires shots at Jon Jones’ coaches after Islam Makhachev takes dig at canceled UFC 151 card

Dana White blame Jon Jones coach (Image via: Imago, MMA Fighting)

Dana White clarified the controversy surrounding Jon Jones related to UFC 151. It was after Islam Makhachev referenced it at UFC 294 fight week. White clarified that Jon Jones was not at fault for the cancellation of the UFC 151 card. At the time, White blamed Jon Jones and his coach, Greg Jackson, for the cancellation.

However, at the UFC 294 pre-fight press conference, White put the blame entirely on Jackson. White said, “Jon Jones’ coaches told him not to do it.”Moreover, he had great words to say about the present-day coaches. “The coaches that are involved in the game now, here, today are behind them a hundred percent,” White said. Furthermore, he continued, “The mentality between the camps, the fighters, and everybody right now is completely different than it’s been in the past.”

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White blamed Greg Jackson because the UFC had to cancel the UFC 151 PPV. Then, Jackson advised Jones by saying that it would be the biggest mistake of his entire career. At the time, Jones was training at Jackson-Wink MMA. However, a recent fallout with Mike Winkeljohn resulted in him seeking allegiance elsewhere. However, Jackson is still with Jones and was in the corner of “Bones” at UFC 285. At UFC 285, Jones submitted Ciryl Gane to win the vacant heavyweight title.

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The topic of UFC 151 resurfaced after Islam Makhachev insinuated it during the pre-fight presser of UFC 294. Jon Jones responded to it on X (formerly Twitter). Makhachev was making his case for pound-for-pound best by citing his approval to accept a short-notice fight against Alexander Volkanovski. It was something Jon Jones refused to do against Chael Sonnen at UFC 151.

Related: “Just say thank you” Islam Makhachev schools Alexander Volkanovski on manners after boasting Mateusz Gamrot, Dustin Poirier, and others being ready for short notice fight

Who is Greg Jackson? Jon Jones’ coach whom Dana White blames for the UFC 151 cancellation

Greg Jackson is the MMA coach of Jon Jones. He co-owns Jackson-Wink MMA Academy with Mike Winkeljohn. Even after Winkeljohn banned Jones from JW MMA Academy premises, Jackson still trains Jones. In addition to Jones, Jackson has coached other UFC champions like Georges St. Pierre, Holly Holm, and Rashad Evans. Moreover, Jackson also founded a martial art called Gaidojutsu.

Greg Jackson, the coach of Jon Jones
Greg Jackson, the coach of Jon Jones (Image via: Athletic)

“There is no way you take this fight on eight days’ notice. It would be the biggest mistake of your entire career.” This was the advice that Jackson gave to Jon Jones at UFC 151. Dana White, the then UFC President and now CEO, was furious at both Jones and especially Jackson at the time. Now, White is cordial with both Jones and Jackson. However, he still blames Jackson for the cancellation, exonerating Jones. This was evident by his words at the UFC 294 pre-fight press conference.

Nevertheless, Jackson is an accomplished MMA coach. He won the Coach of the Year award three consecutive times from 2009 at the World MMA Awards. Moreover, he also won the  Gym of the Year in 2009 and 2015. He shared the award with Mike Winkeljohn in 2015.

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