No doubt, Jon Jones is one of the biggest names in MMA and widely considered the greatest to ever step into the octagon. However, he’s also been a controversial figure, often surrounded by problems inside and outside the sport, which continues even today. Recently, former UFC star Derek Brunson opened up about why he ended his friendship with Jones and walked away, shedding light on the real reason behind their falling out.
On X, Brunson shared that he and Jones spent a lot of time together from 2011 to 2014, often hanging out when Brunson was in town. One night, after witnessing some questionable behavior, Brunson advised Jones to keep things simple and enjoy the moment. Jones responded in a way that made Brunson realize he couldn’t continue being part of it. That night marked the end of their hangouts, as Brunson felt the need to be honest with his friends.
“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,” he said.
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”.…
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) June 25, 2025
Brunson isn’t the only fighter who’s experienced a fallout with Jon Jones. Colby Covington also once shared a strong bond with Jones, but their friendship eventually ended on bad terms.
Colby Covington And Jon Jones’ Friendship Fallout
Once, Covington recalled living with Jones for two years during their time at Iowa Central Community College, where they started off as close friends. But their relationship changed when Jones allegedly started using steroids. Covington recalled ‘Bones’ coming home angry, yelling over small things, and showing uncontrollable rage.
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Tension grew, and Covington realized something was off, eventually causing their friendship to fall apart. Over the years, several fighters once close to Jones have distanced themselves, often due to personal differences or disagreements.
