Dana White says he ‘hopes that’s not true’ after learning troubled Jon Jones was hanging with suspended boxer Ryan Garcia at UFC 306 in Las Vegas

A slightly panicked UFC president Dana White learned through the press that Jon ‘Bones’ Jones and troubled boxer Ryan Garcia had been spotted together.

The boxer and the MMA fighter took a selfie video together while watching ‘Noche UFC’ footage at The Sphere in Las Vegas on Saturday night.

When asked what Jones had planned for the evening, White said he was going to be “running wild” through Sin City before he heard about Jones and Garcia’s video.

“Oh, they’re not here tonight? I hope that’s not true,” a laughing White told reporters.

“Listen, Jon promised me tonight that he’d be on his best behavior in Vegas, so…” White added, tapping the table for good luck before abruptly stopping his singing.

UFC president Dana White let out a nervous laugh when he heard about their meeting

Jones and Garcia are two fighters who have had their fair share of controversies and legal problems in the past.

Garcia’s troubles began in the 1980s, when he tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs and got into trouble with the law.

In June, the NYSAC suspended Garcia for one year after he tested positive for the performance-enhancing drug ostarine. The suspension was retroactive to his April 20 majority decision victory over Devin Haney, which has since been overturned to a no-contest.

Garcia, 25, was also ordered to surrender his wallet – reportedly worth $1.2 million – and pay a $10,000 fine.

Nearly a month later, on July 4 of this year, Garcia was expelled by WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman after the boxer made racist slurs against black people and denigrated Muslims in comments broadcast live on social media.

Garcia’s family released a statement following the suspension saying, “Ryan has been open about his ongoing struggles with his mental health for years and as a family we are committed to ensuring he receives the necessary support to get through this very challenging time and address both his immediate and long-term well-being.”

Sulaiman said Garcia had rejected several offers from the WBC to help him with his mental health and substance abuse.

In response to the deportation, Garcia said he would check into a drug rehabilitation center.

Garcia’s suspension from NYSAC came after a positive drug test following his fight with Devin Haney

Garcia has been involved in a number of controversies this year

Garcia has had a chaotic summer with multiple controversies, in addition to his suspension and expulsion.

So did his suggestion to move to the UFC, as he challenged fighter Sean O’Malley and suggested fighting in the Octagon or bare knuckles.

Garcia was also charged with vandalism for his actions at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills hotel in early June.

He was charged with a felony, which carries a maximum prison sentence of one year.

Jones, who will defend his heavyweight title at UFC 309, is no stranger to controversy

He has had previous run-ins with the law and has tested positive for drugs several times.

Jones has also had many problems with drug use and the law.

The UFC heavyweight champion previously tested positive for cocaine metabolites, anti-estrogenic substances, an aromatase inhibitor and an anabolic steroid.

Jones was also convicted in 2015 for a hit-and-run in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of the crime and was given an 18-month suspended sentence.

In 2021, Jones pleaded guilty to domestic violence for allegedly beating his fiancée, Jessie Moses.

In March 2024, Crystal Martinez, a drug testing officer for Drug Free Sport, filed a police report alleging that Jones had assaulted her and threatened to kill her when he visited his home to conduct a drug test.

Jones pleaded not guilty to the charges and the trial was postponed from July to August and then again to September 26.

During ‘Noche UFC’ it was announced that Jones would defend his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309, which was scheduled to take place in Madison Square Garden in mid-November.