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Ex-UFC fighter reveals nine-word comment Jon Jones made to him that completely killed their friendship

Home> MMA> UFC> UFC News

Updated 11:49 26 Jun 2025 GMT+1Published 11:44 26 Jun 2025 GMT+1

Ex-UFC fighter reveals nine-word comment Jon Jones made to him that completely killed their friendship

Jon Jones' comment killed their friendship.

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar

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Former UFC fighter Derek Brunson revealed what Jon Jones said to him that completely killed their friendship.

Jones has called time on his legendary MMA career, walking away from an astronomical payday to face Tom Aspinall.

Just hours after Dana White announced his UFC retirement, 'Bones' was hit with a criminal charge stemming from an alleged accident last February.

Bodycam footage of the incident shows Jones in dialogue with a police officer, with the police claiming the ex-MMA fighter fled the scene and later threatened a police safety aide over the phone.

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It's not the first time the 37-year-old has faced legal troubles, having had several run-ins with the law over his UFC career.

UFC CEO White has had his say on Jones' criminal charge, not to mention Brunson, who previously trained with the former UFC two-weight champion.

Derek Brunson during his UFC fight against Dricus du Plessis. Image: Getty
Derek Brunson during his UFC fight against Dricus du Plessis. Image: Getty

Brunson trained with Jones during the early part of his UFC career, having moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico.

He claims they used to hang out almost every day during a three-year period before their friendship turned sour.

According to Brunson, Jones told him he 'doesn't need a dad' when he was urged to stay away from the 'extra stuff'.

On X he, the ex-UFC middleweight contender wrote: "Jon Jones and I use to hang out just about every day when I was in town from 2011-2014. One night we went out and I said to him 'bro why are you doing all of this, let’s just hang out with the ladies and have fun, the extra stuff isn’t needed, they’re already here with us'. He looked at me and said 'I don’t need a dad I need a friend'. This was the last time we hung out. I couldn’t sit back and watch. I have to be honest with my friends."

Brunson, a veteran of 21 UFC fighters, is four years older than Jones but is still active, having signed with PFL after leaving the MMA leaders.

Featured Image Credit: Derek Brunson

Topics: Jon Jones, UFC

Nasir Jabbar
Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Darren Till. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

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@NasJabbar

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