UFC president Dana White still hasn't talked to the interim light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
Two days after Jones was plucked from UFC 200 for failing a USADA-administered drug test back in June, forcing the UFC to scramble to fill the void, White hasn't had any inclination to call Jones and get his side of the story. In fact, he says that he wouldn't even be open to taking Jones' call right now.
During an appearance on The Herd on Fox Sports 1, White was troubleshooting the difference between dealing with fighters like Conor McGregor and Jon Jones. After explaining why he liked dealing with McGregor, who has demands but is always willing to fight, White expressed frustration with his embattled star Jones.
"And then you have the Jon Jones's, where how many chances can you give this guy?" he told Colin Cowherd. "How many breaks can you cut this kid? You know what I mean?"
On Wednesday, Jones was removed from his big main event against Daniel Cormier at UFC 200. Twenty four hours later, the UFC found Cormier a new opponent in the form of longtime middleweight champion, Anderson Sllva. Silva and Cormier will compete in a three-round, non-title fight at 205 pounds.
When speaking of giving Jones more chances, White launched into a rant on Jones' mismanagement of his career.
"Listen, I don't know where Lorenzo [Fertitta] is on this issue, but I still haven't talked to Jon Jones," he said. "There's nothing for me and Jon Jones to talk about. I haven't and I'm not going to. There is nothing for us to talk about."
Even if Jones were to call him, White said he wouldn't answer the call.
"No, I'm not talking to Jon Jones," he said. "I'm not talking, and there's no reason for us to talk. The guy is a professional. I truly believe...listen, I'm not the biggest Jon Jones fan right now, but I truly believe that he did take a supplement, that had the stuff in it, and it wasn't intentional. I truly believe that. But at the same time, come on. You're 28 years old, you're probably the greatest talent to ever step foot in this sport, right? Call USADA and tell them what supplements you're taking. You've already been through this history of just absolute madness. Why would you do this -- forget doing this to us, why would you do this to yourself?
"You're a grown-up, and the guys that are around him are just as bad. The guys that are supposed to be looking out for him, and watching his back, gimme a break. Gimme a break. Jon should have cleaned house a long time ago. That's what Jon should have done."
Jones is still awaiting the results of his B-sample from the WADA lab in Salt Lake City. Should it come back positive as well, he could be facing a two-year suspension from the Nevada Athletic Commission. At 28 years old, a suspension would cut into the prime of his career.
"It's a sad story for Jon Jones," White said. "Because he's one of the greatest to ever step foot in the Octagon."