clock menu more-arrow no yes

Filed under:

Prior to UFC 152, Dana White And Jon Jones Make Peace

New, comments
By Mike Chiappetta
/ new
Gallery Photo: UFC 152 Photos
Gallery Photo: UFC 152 Photos

TORONTO -- When Jon Jones turned down a fight and UFC 151 was canceled, the blame was sent squarely in the UFC light-heavyweight champion's direction. Among those angry with the 25-year-old were his bosses; the UFC's top executives Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta said they were "disgusted" by his decision.

But according to both sides, the parties have now moved past the mess and hope to be moving towards a productive future.

Jones' side reported that a face-to-face meeting held with White on Friday went well, and after Saturday night's UFC 152, the company president was all smiles in talking about his dominant champion.

"We had a great talk yesterday," he said. "Leading up to [this week] was good. I’m not going to talk about anything that we talked about yesterday. We both kind of shook hands as men and made a couple agreements to each other that I will keep and hopefully he’ll keep his and we’ll have a great relationship."

Jones had never before angered his bosses, having taken short notice fights on more than one occasion in the past, including the bout in which he captured the belt. But his refusal to fight Chael Sonnen on Sept. 1 sent a ripple effect through the company that ended in a massive financial loss.

Jones had already had trouble with fans, many of whom believe that he does not present his genuine self to the public, and his choice not to fight was seen as selfish by them and others, costing him more fans.

At UFC 152, he received a mixed reaction with more boos than cheers, though it sounded like he won some hearts back with his fourth-round submission win over Vitor Belfort.

White said that he believes as Jones continues to win and grow comfortable in his own skin, he'll become a more beloved star.

"There’s times when it just feels like he’s not comfortable with who he is, which is kind of weird because he’s a great fighter," White said. "He really is a good guy; he’s not a bad guy. You know me. If things go south and I don’t see eye to eye and things aren’t right, I’ll let you know."

One thing Jones has always been able to do is leave his public life at the octagon door. When he steps into the cage, there's yet to be anyone who's challenged him for any length of time, even if Belfort gave him a brief scare.

"He’s made some mistakes and now it’s time for him to fix them," White said. "He’s going to be around for a long time. He’s not going anywhere, unless he does it to himself."

For his part, Jones acknowledged he'd made a lot of mistakes, saying he'd gotten away with a "lot of stupid things," and that he was still working on improving himself both in the cage and out.

"I'm just really grateful for being here and being alive and being able to grow and take things a little more serious," he said.

  • UFC 152 Photos Jon Jones is almost caught in an armbar by Vitor Belfort during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Vitor Belfort enters the Octagon during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Jon Jones gets ready for his fight during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Jon Jones gets ready for his fight during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photo Vitor Belfort is checked out after the first round during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Vitor Belfort is kicked in the head by Jon Jones during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Jon Jones gets some advice between rounds during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Jon Jones tries to finish Vitor Belfort during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Brittney Palmer signals the beginning of the fourth round during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Jon Jones fends off a leg kick by Vitor Belfort during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Jon Jones kicks Vitor Belfort during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Jon Jones pulls off an Americana submission against Vitor Belfort during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Jon Jones is awarded the win over Vitor Belfort during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Jon Jones celebrates his UFC 152 victory during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Vitor Belfort is attended to after his fight during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Jon Jones celebrates after defending his title during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Jon Jones and Vitor Belfort chat after their fight during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Jon Jones poses with his team after his win at UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Jon Jones holds his injured arm after his win at UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Demetrious Johnson gets ready for his fight during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Joseph Benavidez gets ready for his fight during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Demetrious Johnson and Joseph Benavidez battle each other during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Joseph Benavidez punches Demetrious Johnson during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Joseph Benavidez punches Demetrious Johnson during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Demetrious Johnson punches Joseph Benavidez during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Joseph Benavidez tries to take down Demetrious Johnson during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Demetrious Johnson tries to hit Joseph Benavidez during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Joseph Benavidez and Demetrious Johnson exchange shots during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Joseph Benavidez hits Demetrious Johnson during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Joseph Benavidez tries to submit Demetrious Johnson during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Demetrious Johnson slams Joseph Benavidez during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Demetrious Johnson earns the decision during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Demetrious Johnson becomes the first UFC flyweight champ during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Demetrious Johnson celebrates with his team during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Michael Bisping is pumped up before his fight during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Brian Stann gets ready for his fight during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Fans make their way to their seats at the Air Canada Centre on Sat, Sept. 12, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Michael Bisping drills Brian Stann during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Michael Bisping hits Brian Stann during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Brian Stann kicks Michael Bisping during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Michael Bisping hits Brian Stann with a left during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Brian Stann connects with a right during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Michael Bisping takes Brian Stann down during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Michael Bisping and Brian Stann exchange shots during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Michael Bisping and Brian Stann hug during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Michael Bisping earns the decision win during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Charles Oliveira gets ready for his fight during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Cub Swanson stares across the Octagon during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Cub Swanson tries to fend off the takedown by Charles Oliveira during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Cub Swanson delivers a potent body shot during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Cub Swanson drills Charles Oliveira during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Charles Oliveira was knocked out in the first round during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Roger Hollett strikes Matt Hamill in the face during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Matt Hamill tries to finish Roger Hollett during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Matt Hamill gets the decision win over Roger Hollett during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Cub Swanson smiles after his impressive win during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Charles Oliveira receives medical attention during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Cub Swanson, middle, celebrates his knockout win with his team during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Vinny Magalhaes gets ready for his return during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Vinny Magalhaes looks to finish Igor Pokrajac during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Vinny Magalhaes submits Igor Pokrajac during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Vinny Magalhaes celebrates his win during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Vinny Magalhaes celebrates his win during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Evan Dunham gets ready for his fight during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos TJ Grant punches Evan Dunham during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos TJ Grant punches Evan Dunham during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos TJ Grant strikes Evan Dunham during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos TJ Grant kicks Evan Dunham during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos A very bloody Evan Dunham battles TJ Grant during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Evan Dunham strikes TJ Grant during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos TJ Grant earns a decision win over Evan Dunham during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Lance Benoist hits Sean Pierson in the face during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Lance Benoist and Sean Pierson exchange shots during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Sean Pierson, left, strikes Lance Benoist during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Lance Benoist connects with a short right against Sean Pierson during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Lance Pierson connects with a left during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Lance Benoist connects again during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Sean Pierson celebrates his unanimous decision win over Lance Benoist during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Jimy Hettes nails Marcus Brimage in the face with a knee during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Marcus Brimage strikes Jimy Hettes during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Marcus Brimage delivers another shot during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Marcus Brimage hits Jimy Hettes in the face during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Marcus Brimage delivers another shot to the face of Jimy Hettes during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Marcus Brimage earned a unanimous decision win over Jimy Hettes during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Seth Baczynski rocks Simeon Thoresen during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos The ref pulls Seth Baczynski away after his first-round knockout during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Simeon Thoresen is attended to after getting knocked out during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Seth Baczynski celebrates his knockout win during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Mitch Gagnon punches Walel Watson during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Mitch Gagnon looks to finish Walel Watson during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Mitch Gagnon submits Walel Watson during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Mitch Gagnon celebrates his submission victory during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Kyle Noke kicks Charlie Brenneman in the face during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.
  • UFC 152 Photos Kyle Noke celebrates his first-round knockout win during UFC 152 at the Air Canada Centre on Sat., Sept. 22, 2012 in Toronto.


Get the latest gear

More From MMA Fighting

Loading comments...