'Don't let the internet fool you': Dana White's swipe at UFC fans as Jon Jones prepares for return
UFC boss Dana White has given the best indication yet as to when heavyweight champ Jon Jones will return to the octagon.
In a busy day for the polarising mind behind the combat sports juggernaut, which saw the announcement of a new boxing league under the TKO umbrella, White was quizzed in numerous interviews over the future of one of his biggest stars.
There had been speculation that Jones would bow out on top following his win over Stipe Miocic last November, but that doesn't appear to be the case.
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"Jones will fight anybody ... don't let the internet fool you," White told ESPN.
"He does want to do it."
Dana White and Jon Jones. Getty
Jones - who has just one fight in the past two years - is still the undisputed champ, despite the emergence of English sensation Tom Aspinall, who holds the interim belt.
Aspinall has been clamouring for the clash for an extended period and while there appeared to be initial hesitation from the Jones camp, negotiations are heating up.
White said in an interview on The Jim Rome Show that the 37-year-old will be back in the octagon in the middle of this year.
"The plan is to fight Jon this summer," he said
"Obviously, when, where and all that stuff is being determined.
"My goal this year is to make that fight [with] Aspinall."
There have also been constant rumours of a potential superfight between Jones and light-heavyweight champion Alex Pereira - something White initially wasn't keen on.
Jon Jones has been linked with a fight against. Alex Pereira. Getty
But according to the boss himself, the stance may have softened.
"The other thing about Pereira that everybody loves is, this guy wants to go up to heavyweight and fight at heavyweight, too," White said.
"I'm the one that's actually holding him back on that.
"He wants to [fight Jon Jones]. Let's see how this fight plays out, if he wins, how he wins, all that kind of stuff. I think that the fight that everybody wants to see right now is Jones and Aspinall and then there's no doubt that Pereira could fight the winner."
