Jon Jones was nearly left in tears after being told he’d be sidelined for up to one year following his torn pectoral injury.
It’s rare that fight fans get an inside look at some of UFC’s behind-the-scenes moments, but that’s exactly what they got early Saturday when new footage was released of a meeting between Jones, UFC CEO Dana White, and UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell. This was part of UFC’s new three-part, inside the UFC series that came out on Roku.
Jones, who returned from a three-year layoff to submit Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 to claim the undisputed UFC heavyweight crown, was scheduled to defend his title against Stipe Miocic at UFC 295 last November. Unfortunately, Jones ended up tearing his pectoral muscle in camp and was forced out of the fight. “Bones” has been on the mend ever since and isn’t expected to make his return to action until later this year.
Until now, fight fans didn’t know how Jones found out he had torn his pectoral. Of course, the UFC heavyweight champion felt the injury in training, but Jones wasn’t aware of the severity of the injury until his closed-door meeting with White and Campbell. That’s when Jones was informed of his impending recovery time and nearly broke down in tears.
BTS when Dana White and Hunter Campbell told Jon Jones he was gonna be out 6 months to a year.pic.twitter.com/rEkTsXWH9I
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) June 8, 2024
“I got the results. You’re out six months to a year,” said Campbell (shown above). “You have to go have surgery.”
“You’re lying,” responded Jones in disbelief.
“I swear on my life. Full tear,” said Campbell.
“I don’t want to cry in front of you two,” Jones said as he held back tears.
“I don’t want to cry in front of you two either,” said White.
The entire exchange is pretty interesting and certainly gives fight fans a unique look at how some of these issues are handled on the UFC side. Jones was visibly shaken and wrapped up the meeting immediately after learning about his injury, but it was nice enough of White and Campbell to console him when they did.
Luckily, Jones has made a full recovery and is currently plotting his awaited return to the UFC’s heavyweight division.