Jon Jones says he is ready to meet Dana White in person to apologize for how things ended between them. The former UFC heavyweight champion, who was once regarded as the pound-for-pound best in the sport, believes owning up to his mistakes could help rebuild trust and open the door to a comeback.
“I think my most immediate goal is to try to be on the White House card,” Jones said during an appearance on the No Scripts podcast. “I’m giving Dana his space. Dana has changed my life. He’s changed my children’s lives. I’m forever grateful to him. We had a verbal agreement that didn’t go over well. Nothing was finalized. But I was wrong. The way things went down, I was wrong.”
A Sudden Retirement and Lingering Frustration
Earlier in the year, White confirmed that Jones was “done” after a verbal breakdown in talks for a planned heavyweight unification bout against Tom Aspinall. The situation unfolded quickly, with White revealing the news during a media session in Baku, Azerbaijan, even though Jones was not present.
Reports at the time claimed Jones had rejected a massive $30 million offer for the fight. Soon after, the promotion officially recognized Aspinall as the undisputed champion.
Weeks later, Jones surprised fans by expressing interest in competing again, particularly at the historic UFC White House card, an event proposed by President Donald Trump.
Jones Seeks Reconciliation
Although White has voiced hesitation about including Jones in the lineup, the fighter insists he wants to make things right first.
“I wish I could see him face-to-face and just apologize to him so we can let bygones be bygones and get back to making some major money for the sport and really entertaining these fans,” Jones said.
Despite past conflicts, White has continued to refer to Jones as one of the greatest athletes in combat sports. Jones acknowledges that their dynamic can be unpredictable.
“When he’s feeling me, I think I’m one of his favorite fighters,” he said. “When he’s not feeling me, I’m probably the reason why he has a bald head.”
The 2026 White House event has attracted attention across the UFC roster. Conor McGregor has repeatedly voiced his desire to make his return there, while Mike Perry and Alex Pereira have also hinted at wanting to be part of the spectacle. Pereira even expressed openness to facing Jones if the opportunity presents itself.
White has said final planning for the card will begin in early 2026, meaning no lineup has been set yet.
Jones last fought in November 2024, defeating Stipe Miocic by third-round stoppage at UFC 309. Since then, he has stayed out of competition but never out of conversation. He has spoken often about the desire to close his career on his own terms — and possibly in front of the White House crowd.
“I hope so,” Jones said when asked if he would fight there. “I really hope so.”
Meanwhile, Aspinall’s latest title defense against Ciryl Gane ended in a controversial no-contest after an accidental double eye poke in the first round. The British champion continues to recover while the division waits for its next big matchup.
For Jones, the path forward begins not with another contract, but with a handshake. He hopes that a sincere apology to White can help restore what was lost and set the stage for one final showcase.
