Dana White expresses regret over the only fight Jon Jones ever lost in the UFC - "It kills me"
Dana White, like many other MMA fans, ranks Jon Jones among the sport's all-time greats. This is simply because Jones has fought and defeated some of the best fighters in the 205-pound division, and his legacy is unrivaled. Although his record includes victories over noteworthy opponents like Daniel Cormier, Anthony Smith, and Alexander Gustafsson, the lone loss against Matt Hamill by disqualification in 2009 stands out.
Dec5.2009
Referee Steve Mazzagatti disqualifies Jon Jones for hitting Matt Hamill with illegal 12-6 elbows
This is recorded as the only loss of Jones' professional career https://t.co/bDGhlmdb6D
Jon Jones locked horns with Matt Hamill in The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale. 'Bones' fired multiple 12-6 elbows on Matt Hamill, who was on the ground. A 12-6 elbow strike entails lifting the elbow up and dropping it straight down in a vertical action, striking the opponent with the tip of the elbow, as opposed to "slicing elbows," which are done in a horizontal manner. This move is against the unified rules of mixed martial arts.
The referee immediately docked a point from Jon Jones, and the fight was supposed to continue. Despite dominating the fight, Jones was disqualified for unleashing 12-6 elbows, which led to the unfortunate end.
UFC President Dana White lobbied for the Nevada Athletic Commission to remove the loss from Jones' record. The commission rejected White's appeal, and Jones' loss to Matt Hammil remains on his record.
Expressing the regret he carries for the only loss Jon Jones has on his record on The Jim Rome Show, White stated:
"Look at all the people that he [Jon Jones] has fought. He has never lost a fight. It kills me that one [loss] is on his record... 26-1. You have to understand, for the people who don't know... This was during a time when the Nevada State Athletic Commission was very weak."
White added:
"The referee in there stopped the fight and called Jones the loser in that fight, a fight he was dominating and should have been finished. Instead of disqualifying Jones, they should have stopped the fight and Jones right now should be 27-0."
Check out the video below:
Dana White believes a victory over Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 will solidify Jon Jones as the 'GOAT' of MMA
Jon Jones will return to competition this weekend at UFC 285 against Ciryl Gane at the T-Mobile Arena with the vacant heavyweight championship up for grabs. Jones has faced a variety of opponents in his career and tested himself against the best in the 205-pound division. On Saturday, he'll be going up against Ciryl Gane, one of the craftiest heavyweight strikers of recent times.
Many believe that Gane, with his exceptional agility and speed in the heavyweight division, will offer Jones his toughest challenge to date. The way UFC President Dana White sees it, a victory over Gane will cement Jon Jones as the undisputed GOAT (Greatest of All Time) of the UFC. Speaking in the aforementioned interview, White stated:
"He's [Jones] taking on the No.1 contender in the world. He's taking on Ciryl Gane, one of the best heavyweights on the planet. In his interviews, Jones talks like this is going to be an easy fight and he's going to rip through Gane. If he does that, I mean, it's already hard to debate that this guy is the greatest of all time. But there will be no debate with anybody, anywhere, ever if he beats Ciryl Gane."