Jones says he can 'let bygones be bygones' with White as UFC return looms

Jon Jones has signalled a thaw in his fractured relationship with UFC president Dana White, stating he is willing to set aside personal grievances to pursue future fights inside the octagon — and confirming he remains under contract with the promotion.

The former two-division champion’s comments to Ring Magazine come after a turbulent stretch that saw the pair publicly clash. White had repeatedly assured fans that Jones would eventually defend his heavyweight title against interim champion Tom Aspinall, but Jones vacated the belt without making that fight, straining his relationship with the UFC CEO. Tensions escalated further when Jones campaigned for a spot on the UFC Freedom 250 card at the White House, only for White to make clear he was never under consideration. Jones responded by publicly requesting his release from the promotion.

The atmosphere between the two has since appeared to ease. Jones was present at UFC 329, where he cornered Gable Steveson for his UFC debut, and was photographed alongside White at the event — referring to the UFC chief as a “homie.”

“In order to do big business, you can’t hold grudges,” Jones told Ring Magazine. “You got to be able to let bygones be bygones. You have to be able to work with people that you don’t love. I’ve made Dana millions of dollars over the years, and he’s made me millions of dollars over the years. So, it’s not always about how you feel about a person. It’s like, ‘Can we still work together? Can we still do business together?’ And I feel like we’re always gonna be able to make money together. Will I be invited to his house on Christmas? Probably not. But the guy changed my life, and he is a homie for life. Despite how he feels about me, I’m always gonna give him that respect.”

Jones, whose professional record stands at 28-1, also disclosed that he has re-entered the drug testing pool — a prerequisite for any licensed MMA competition — weeks after UFC Freedom 250 plans first surfaced. His return to testing, combined with his conciliatory tone toward White, keeps the door open for a comeback, though no fight has been announced.

The unresolved question of a potential clash with Aspinall remains the most significant storyline hanging over Jones’s future. Whether the reconciliation with White translates into a concrete booking is yet to be seen.