Throughout Jon ‘Bones’ Jones’s legendary career, there were several instances where UFC president, Dana White described his frustrations with one of the greatest champions in the company’s history. Most of those instances were on the record, in various interviews from the infamous period of 2015-2017. when Jon’s career had unarguably its most turbulent time.
White had been vocal about Jones’ personal inconsistencies as well as his private and legal issues – things that tarnished the now-former pound-for-pound king’s legacy, as well as those multiple failed drug tests, which in many fans’ eyes eliminated ‘Bones’ from the GOAT conversations. White even stated at one point that Jones is the most frustrating fighter he has ever dealt with.
Back to the present moment, now in the midst of UFC’s antitrust lawsuit, there were recently leaked documents where private messages of Dana White to Lorenzo Fertitta (former chairman and shareholder of the UFC) were revealed. They explicitly reveal how they both felt about Jones’ and his request for increased pay.
Dana White goes in on ‘scumbag’ Jon Jones
It was the year 2014 and UFC was planning to book a rematch of one of the most exciting light heavyweight title fights in the company’s history – when Alexander Gustaffson pushed Jones to the absolute brink. A fight that’s now in the UFC Hall Of Fame.
Dana White’s message to Fertitta stated: “What’s up with Jones? Did he straighten up or is he still being a scumbag?” White’s text message read to then-chairman of the UFC, Lorenzo Fertitta. Fertitta responded: “Still a douche, but we’re inching closer. Haven’t moved on money, but sent the letter with an ultimatum.”
White closed off with: “Awesome! F*** that punk, Lorenzo. He needs to know we don’t need him, or he will f*** us over more than he already does.”
These messages were unsealed as part of the ongoing trial, where many fighters came out with their legal teams, to go against UFC’s “unfair business practices” and monopsony on the market. This case is predicted to go on trial in April of this year and it could see the UFC be forced to pay massive reparations to their former athletes.
The damages to be compensated are evaluated to go up to several billions of dollars, which could hurt the business, in a huge way. This situation can truly change not only the UFC, but also the face of the whole fight game.
A long-standing feud between White and ‘Bones’ seems to be settled now
As of today, Jon Jones and Dana White seem to be in a good, working relationship. The standing affairs see White being very praiseful of Jones’ career and status in the sport of MMA. The UFC president is showing real patience, waiting for the champ’s injuries to heal up and for him to do a legacy fight, against the heavyweight GOAT himself – Stipe Miocic.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 02: (L-R) Jon Jones and UFC President Dana White laugh on stage during the UFC 285 Press Conference at the KA Theatre at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino on March 02, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Jones is seemingly scheduled to return in the fall of this year, after tearing his pectoralis tendon in preparation for UFC 295 at MSG. In the meantime, he has had another surgery, on his elbow. Claiming that he ‘killed two birds’ Jones finally feels relief, as the elbow was a chronic issue for him, now settled.
In the wait of his return, both him and the organization will have historic battles this year: Jones preparing for (quite possibly) the biggest fight ever and the UFC going to court, to settle a dispute that could change the face of MMA.
