Jon Jones willing to work with Dana White despite UFC tension

Jon Jones says he is ready to move past his recent public friction with Dana White and continue doing business with the UFC president.

The former two-division champion vacated his heavyweight title earlier this year after declining to face interim titlist Tom Aspinall, creating a rift with White, who had repeatedly assured fans the fight would happen. Weeks later, Jones re-entered the testing pool and lobbied for a spot on UFC Freedom 250, only to be told he was never under consideration for the White House event. That prompted Jones to publicly ask for his release from the promotion.

Jones explains his approach to working with White

The tension appears to have cooled. Jones cornered Gable Steveson at UFC 329 last month and posed for a photo with White at the event. In a new interview with Ring Magazine, Jones made clear he does not plan to let personal disagreements interfere with the financial benefits both sides have enjoyed over the years. "In order to do big business, you can't hold grudges," he said. "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."

Jones added that while their relationship may not extend beyond the professional realm, he still respects what White has done for his career. "Will I be invited to his house on Christmas? Probably not," he said. "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 confirmed he remains under UFC contract and enrolled in the drug testing pool, leaving the door open for a return to competition.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Jon Jones’ latest Dana White comments could change how fans view his UFC future