UFC CEO Dana White has always strongly advocated for the current UFC heavyweight champion, Jon Jones, amidst all the negative speculations around him. However, this time, it wonโt be the same as fans are calling out the UFC CEO as a hypocrite for praising Jones. This comes after the champion has been nowhere seen around the octagon for over a year.
Following Tom Aspinallโs victory as the interim UFC heavyweight champion, a heated debate has ignited within the MMA community. Aspinall, known for his remarkable performance in the UFC, is advocating for a unification bout against the current champion. However, UFC President Dana White appears to hold a conflicting view on this matter.
He doesnโt deserve anything. He looks great, and he looks like heโs going to be the guy. But Stipe [Miocic] and Jon [Jones] have paid their dues, theyโve been here forever and fought everybodyโฆ These guys deserve to fight each other.
Dana White to Kevin Iole YT Channel
The UFC boss also highlighted that Aspinall is the future of the UFC heavyweight division. The British fighterโs most recent victory was against Curtis Blaydes, finishing his opponent in a minute. These exceptional performances from the 31-year-old British fighter might explain what Dana White said.
Interestingly, an old video of the UFC CEO surfaced where he was engaged in a heated argument with Ariel Helwani when the latter asked him about Fedor Emilianenkoโs pound-for-pound status. In that video, White was seemingly angered about Emelianenkoโs inactivity. The UFC CEO also highlighted that Anderson Silva had better fight records than the Russian legend.
Dana Whiteโs contrasting viewpoints have drawn the attention of fight fans. Despite Jon Jonesโ absence from the promotion for over a year, White has defended him on multiple occasions. On the other hand, White previously criticized Fedor Emelianenko for becoming the top P4P fighter after a period of inactivity.
Fight fans react to Dana Whiteโs old video
UFC CEO Dana White has often praised Jon Jones as a fighter. In his 16-year-long UFC career, Jones has been handed a defeat only once due to a disqualification against Matt Hamill. Interestingly, Jones wouldnโt have a blemish in his career if the 12-6 elbow rule was valid at that time. Such an excellent UFC career has boosted Jonesโ career and helped UFC gain popularity.
Jon Jones at UFC 285 after becoming the UFC heavyweight champion (Image via Fox News)Dana White seemingly appreciates what Jones has done in his career at the promotion. However, after the old video of his debating against Emelianenkoโs P4P status surfaced, fight fans have taken a dig at the UFC CEO. Check out some of the reactions below.
Itโs hilarious considering if Jones actually fights in November, itโll be 1 year 9 months since his last fight & another 3 years since the fight before that ๐คฃ this fat bald fuck is one of the most deluded, hypocrits known to man.
โ Huncho M (@HunchoMunii) August 6, 2024
Someone needs to show Dana this! So hypocritical
โ Brett Grey (@grey_brett26246) August 6, 2024
when compared to Fedor that was not fighting regularly. Jon Jones been on a lay off due to injury with a fight scheduled is not the same thing.
โ Robert Brown | Ultiverseโก๏ธ๐ (@rbrown00) August 6, 2024
I like how “fighting 3 times a year” used to be important. Jones has fought less than once a year for the past decade, cherry picking fights and dodging top contenders. Gus really cleaned the rock outta Jones’ clock. Rumble knew it, everyone did. Jon J(c)oke Jones
โ VirtualJester.x (@VirtualJester_) August 6, 2024
Dana was just mad at Fedorโs manager because they were playing hardball during negotiations. Without context I would say Danaโs passion for the fight game here is admirable but knowing the long fued between him and Fedors team, itโs the stubbornness that caused this reaction.
โ C.A. (@ThatDude23_) August 6, 2024
Maybe this is different because it was back then so the UFC had to be more consistent on making money, maybe? With Conor and everything that happened they’ve made a bunch, that even now they’re like “yeah it’s fine”
โ ๎จ PHILLIPE KLEIN ๎จ (@akhylosophee) August 6, 2024
I think he was more so talking about fighting the best rather than the amount of times, Jones has fought the best
โ Sean9779 (@Sean79777) August 7, 2024
I need this Dana back to push poatan vs jones
โ Dylan โWhittyโ Whitson (@DylanWhitson5) August 7, 2024
Many fans appear to have labeled the UFC head honcho a hypocrite. However, some fans thought White was justified in his comments about Emelianenko. It is because the Russian fighter was not consistently competing, while Jones is currently sidelined due to a pectoral injury. Interestingly, a few fans hoped that criticism of the UFC CEO might prompt him to pursue theย Alex Pereiraย vs. Jon Jones fight once again.
